Words / C1

joo-DISHL/dʒuˈdɪʃl/

Judicial means of courts, judges, or the legal process: a judicial review, judicial independence. Legal is wider (anything the law covers); judiciary (this batch) is the noun for the judges as a body. Judicious (this batch) is “sensible” — a cruel lookalike. Do not call a campus complaint panel a judicial court.

Meaning

Relating to a court of law, judges, or the legal system.

Examples

• “A judicial review is not a student complaint form.”
• “A judicial review is not a student complaint form, however formal the room.”
• “Legal is the everyday wider adjective. The judiciary is the institution. Judicious means wise. A disciplinary hearing can be legal without being a court.”

Good to know

Of courts and judges. Wider: legal. Noun institution: judiciary. Mix-up: judicious (sensible). A campus panel is not a court.

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