Per Curiam Legal Definition6 min read

Per Curiam is a Latin term that is literally translated to “by the court.” This term is most commonly used in legal contexts and is most commonly associated with judicial opinions. A per curiam opinion is an unsigned opinion that is issued by a court as a whole rather than being issued by a specific judge.

Per curiam opinions are often used in cases where the court is divided on the outcome of the case. In these cases, the per curiam opinion will typically rule in favor of the party that received the majority of the votes. This is done in order to avoid issuing a ruling that is split down the middle.

Per curiam opinions can also be used in cases where the court feels that the lower court’s ruling was wrong. In these cases, the per curiam opinion will typically overturn the lower court’s ruling and issue a new ruling.

Per curiam opinions are typically seen as less authoritative than opinions that are issued by specific judges. This is because per curiam opinions are not typically as well researched as opinions that are written by specific judges.

Why do courts issue per curiam opinions?

Per curiam opinions are unsigned opinions of a court that are typically issued without a written dissent. They are named for the Latin phrase per curiam, which means “by the court.” Per curiam opinions are typically issued by a panel of judges, rather than the entire court.

There are a few reasons why courts might issue a per curiam opinion. One reason is that the court may want to issue a ruling quickly, without having to wait for a written dissent. Another reason is that the court may not want to publicly associate itself with a particular opinion. This is particularly true if the opinion is unpopular or controversial.

Per curiam opinions can also be used to resolve ambiguities in the law. If a court is divided on a particular issue, a per curiam opinion can help to provide a clear ruling. This is particularly helpful in cases where the law is unclear.

Overall, per curiam opinions are a way for courts to issue rulings quickly and without public controversy. They can be used to resolve ambiguities in the law, and they can be issued by a panel of judges or the entire court.

Is a per curiam decision unanimous?

A per curiam decision is a decision issued by a court that is made by the court as a whole, and not by any individual judge. In other words, it is a decision that is rendered by the court “in toto,” or as a whole.

Per curiam decisions are often issued by appellate courts, which are courts that review the decisions of lower courts. In a per curiam decision, the appellate court will review the lower court’s decision and either affirm it or reverse it.

Per curiam decisions can also be issued by trial courts, although this is less common. In a trial court, a per curiam decision might be used to resolve a procedural issue or to make a ruling that is not based on the facts of the case.

The term “per curiam” is Latin for “by the court.”

Although per curiam decisions are not always unanimous, they typically are. This is because a per curiam decision is typically rendered by the court as a whole, and not by any individual judge. In other words, the court is speaking with one voice.

However, there are some cases in which a per curiam decision is not unanimous. This might happen if there is a split among the judges on the appellate court, or if the trial court is divided on the issue.

When a per curiam decision is not unanimous, it is typically noted in the opinion. This is because a per curiam decision is not as authoritative as a decision that is rendered by a panel of judges.

Ultimately, whether a per curiam decision is unanimous or not is up to the court. However, in most cases, a per curiam decision will be unanimous.

What does denied per curiam mean?

What does denied per curiam mean?

Per curiam decisions are judgments handed down by a court that are not signed by any of the individual judges on the court. Instead, they are typically signed by the court clerk. These decisions are often made relatively quickly and are not as thoroughly researched as other decisions made by the court.

A denied per curiam decision is one in which the court denies the petition or appeal, but does not provide a written explanation for the decision. This type of decision is usually given when the court feels that there is no compelling reason to provide a written explanation.

What does per curiam affirmed mean?

Per curiam affirmed is a legal term that means a decision of a court has been upheld. The term is Latin for “by the court.”

What is the point of a per curiam decision?

A per curiam decision is a ruling handed down by a court that is signed by all of the judges on the panel, as opposed to a ruling that is signed by only the judge issuing the ruling. Per curiam decisions are often issued in cases where the court is divided on the outcome, and the decision is meant to ensure that the court’s final ruling is unanimous.

Per curiam decisions are not typically given significant weight by other courts, as they are not considered to be as authoritative as rulings that are signed by a specific judge. However, per curiam decisions can be used as persuasive authority by other courts, and they may be cited in cases where the court is divided on the outcome.

Is per curiam binding?

Per curiam opinions are not binding on lower courts.

A per curiam opinion is an unsigned opinion of the Supreme Court. These opinions are not binding on lower courts. This means that a lower court is not obligated to follow a per curiam opinion when deciding a case.

There are several reasons why per curiam opinions are not binding. First, these opinions are not signed by any of the justices. This means that there is no individual justice who is taking responsibility for the opinion. Second, per curiam opinions are not published in the United States Reports, the official reporter of the Supreme Court. This means that they are not given the same level of respect as published opinions.

Despite the fact that per curiam opinions are not binding, they can be persuasive authority for lower courts. This means that a lower court may find a per curiam opinion to be persuasive when making its own decisions.

How do you use per curiam in a sentence?

Per curiam is a Latin phrase that means “by the court.” It is used to refer to a judicial opinion or ruling that is written by the court or a majority of the court, rather than by a particular judge. Per curiam opinions are typically unsigned, and they may be issued by a court in either an appellate or a trial capacity.