Legal opinion facts for kids

Have you ever wondered how judges explain their decisions? In law, a legal opinion is a special written explanation. It's usually written by a judge or a group of judges. This explanation comes with an order or ruling they make in a case. Sometimes, legal experts might also write these opinions. The main goal of a legal opinion is to show the reasons and rules behind a court's decision.

These opinions are often made public by the court. They help to explain or even change past legal decisions, known as precedent. If a court decides an opinion should be published, it goes into special books. These books are called law reports or case reports. All these published opinions together are known as case law. Case law is a very important part of how laws work in common law legal systems.

What is a Legal Opinion?

A legal opinion is like a detailed report from a judge. It explains why a court made a certain decision in a case. Think of it as the judge's homework, showing all their work and thinking.

Judges write these opinions to make sure everyone understands their decision. It helps people see the reasons and the legal rules that were followed. This makes the legal process fair and clear for everyone involved.

Why are Opinions Important?

Legal opinions are super important for several reasons. First, they help explain the court's decision to the people in the case. This includes the people who sued and the people who were sued.

Second, these opinions help other judges in the future. When a judge makes a decision, it can become a precedent. A precedent is like a guide for similar cases later on. If a new case is very much like an old one, judges can look at the old opinion. This helps them make fair and consistent decisions.

Third, legal opinions help the public understand the law better. When opinions are published, anyone can read them. This means people can learn how laws are applied in real-life situations.

How Opinions Become Public

Not every decision a judge makes gets a published opinion. Courts decide which opinions are important enough to be shared widely. If an opinion is chosen, it gets printed in special books.

These books are called law reports or case reports. They are like libraries of court decisions. Lawyers, judges, and students use these books to research past cases. This helps them understand how the law has been used before.

All the published opinions together form what is called case law. Case law is a major source of law in many countries. It means that judges' decisions become part of the law itself. This is especially true in countries that use a common law system.