Legal Definitions - bench

Definition: Bench refers to the seat where the judge sits in the courtroom, and the term is used to refer to the judge. It can also refer to judges in general, as in "bench and bar," a collective term for judges and lawyers. The historical origin of the term comes from the benches that judges used to sit on in the courtroom while presiding over trials.

Example: During the trial, the defendant's lawyer addressed the bench, asking the judge to dismiss the case.

Explanation: In this example, "the bench" refers to the judge who is sitting on the seat in the courtroom. The lawyer is addressing the judge directly, asking for a specific action to be taken.

Example: The full bench of the Supreme Court will hear the case next week.

Explanation: In this example, "full bench" refers to all the judges of the Supreme Court who will be hearing the case. It is a collective term used to refer to the judges as a group.