Legal Definitions - duty judge

Definition: A judge who is assigned to be on call and available to handle emergency or urgent matters outside of regular court hours.

Example: If a person is arrested on a weekend or holiday, they may need to appear before the duty judge to have their bail set or to be arraigned on charges.

This example illustrates how the duty judge is responsible for handling urgent matters that cannot wait until regular court hours. They are available to ensure that individuals who are arrested or have other urgent legal needs can have their cases addressed promptly.

Definition: The legal obligation to take reasonable care to avoid causing harm to others.

Example: A doctor has a duty of care to their patients to provide competent medical treatment and to avoid causing harm through negligence or malpractice.

This example illustrates how the duty of care applies in the context of medical care. The doctor has a legal obligation to take reasonable steps to ensure that their patients are not harmed by their actions or omissions.

Definition: A maritime ceremony in which a foreign vessel lowers its flag and topsail as a sign of respect and acknowledgment of the sovereignty of the country whose flag is being flown.

Example: When a foreign ship enters British waters, it may perform the duty of the flag by lowering its flag and topsail as a sign of respect for British sovereignty.

This example illustrates how the duty of the flag was historically used as a sign of respect and acknowledgment of the authority of a country's flag over its waters. It was a way for foreign vessels to show that they recognized the sovereignty of the country whose flag was being flown.