court of last resort
Final appeals body
A court of last resort is the highest court in a judicial system—the one whose decisions cannot be appealed further.
In the United States, the Supreme Court is the court of last resort for federal matters, while each state has its own.
Figuratively, any final authority or ultimate recourse: When negotiations failed, arbitration became our court of last resort.
Judicial decision-making body
- benchShared seating surface
- judiciaryLaw-interpreting government branch
- magistrateCivil judicial officer
- adjudicationFormal decision on disputes
judgment · precedent · ruling · opinion · dissent · concurrence · chief justice · robes
Highest or most extreme
- conclusiveEnding all debate
- bindingLegally or morally required
- irrevocableCannot be undone
- unchallengeableCannot be disputed
definitive · settled · absolute · irreversible · terminal · last word · final judgment · endpoint
Higher court's review order
- writCourt-issued directive
- appellantOne who appeals
- petitionerOne who formally requests
- remandReturn for further proceedings
reversal · overturn · vacate · rehearing · briefs · docket · interlocutory · affirmation
Supreme in power
- supremeHighest in authority
- governingControlling with authority
- dominantHaving superior influence
- authoritativeHaving recognized expertise
tribunal
Judicial decision-making body
- benchShared seating surface
- judiciaryLaw-interpreting government branch
- magistrateCivil judicial officer
adjudication · judgment · precedent · ruling · opinion · dissent · concurrence · chief justice · robes · chambers
ultimate
Highest or most extreme
- conclusiveEnding all debate
- bindingLegally or morally required
- irrevocableCannot be undone
unchallengeable · definitive · settled · absolute · irreversible · terminal · last word · final judgment · endpoint · closure
certiorari
Higher court's review order
- writCourt-issued directive
- appellantOne who appeals
- petitionerOne who formally requests
remand · reversal · overturn · vacate · rehearing · briefs · docket · interlocutory · affirmation · error
sovereign
Supreme in power
authoritative · paramount · preeminent · cassation · privy council
- Supreme Courtchief justice, associate justices, justices, certiorari, oral arguments
- appellate courtsappeals process, appeal hearings, criminal appeals
- courtsmagistrates, tribunals
court of last resorttrial court
First-level judicial forum
lower court · district court · municipal court · county court · small claims court
court, courts, courted, courting, courtly, courtier, courtiers, courtesy, courteous