Adjudication is the legal process of resolving a dispute or deciding a case, and it can also refer to the decision that results from that process. In ordinary legal usage, adjudication describes the court’s act of determining the rights and obligations of the parties.

An adjudication often leads to a final Judgment, though the term can also be used more broadly for administrative or judicial determinations.

Adjudication Explained

Cornell Wex explains that adjudication refers to the legal process of resolving a dispute or deciding a case, and also to the judicial decision itself. The concept focuses on a tribunal’s formal determination of the parties’ rights once the controversy is ready for decision.

The Term Adjudication in Different Legal Contexts

In court litigation, adjudication may describe the process leading to a decision on claims and defenses. In administrative law, the term can also refer to a formal agency decision after applying law to facts.

The term sometimes refers to the completed decision itself, especially when discussing the preclusive effect of an earlier ruling.

Common Misconceptions About the Meaning of Adjudication

A common misconception is that adjudication only means the final written judgment. It can also refer to the overall decision-making process that leads to that result.

Another misconception is that adjudication always happens after a full trial. Many disputes are adjudicated through motions, administrative hearings, or other formal decision procedures.