obiter dictum
/ˈoʊbɪtər ˈdɪktəm/
NOUN
1. An incidental remark in a judicial opinion
A statement or remark made by a judge in a court's judgment that is not essential to the decision or disposition of the case.
1.1. Incidental judicial remarks
Refers to observations, comments, or statements made by a judge that are not necessary to resolve the legal dispute but may provide additional insight into legal principles or future cases.
Synonyms
- dictum
- dicta
- judicial remark
- judicial comment
- incidental remark
- judicial observation
- aside
Examples
- The lawyer pointed out the judge's insightful obiter dictum during the appeal.
- Legal scholars often delve into the nuances of obiter dictum to grasp the broader legal context.
- The courtroom buzzed with debate over the implications of the judge's unexpected obiter dictum.
- In the written opinion, the judge included a thought-provoking obiter dictum on the evolving nature of privacy laws.
- Attorneys carefully selected relevant portions of the obiter dictum to support their arguments in the case.