Interlocutory is a legal term which can refer to an
order,
sentence,
decree
A decree is a legal proclamation, usually issued by a head of state (such as the president of a republic or a monarch), according to certain procedures (usually established in a constitution). It has the force of law. The particular term used ...
, or
judgment
Judgement (or US spelling judgment) is also known as ''adjudication'', which means the evaluation of evidence to make a decision. Judgement is also the ability to make considered decisions. The term has at least five distinct uses. Aristotle s ...
, given in an intermediate stage between the commencement and conclusion of a
cause of action
A cause of action or right of action, in law, is a set of facts sufficient to justify suing to obtain money or property, or to justify the enforcement of a legal right against another party. The term also refers to the legal theory upon which a ...
, used to provide a temporary or provisional decision on an issue. Thus, an interlocutory order is not final and is not subject to immediate appeal.
In many U.S.
legal systems, interlocutory orders are not
appealable, save for in a few extraordinary cases. Interlocutory orders are orders that are issued by a court while a case is still ongoing, before the final resolution of the case. When the case is concluded, any aspect of an interlocutory order that has not become
moot
Moot may refer to:
* Mootness, in American law: a point where further proceedings have lost practical significance; whereas in British law: the issue remains debatable
* Moot court, an activity in many law schools where participants take part in s ...
may be challenged in an appeal from the final judgment. However, in other legal systems, such as in England and Wales, in Hong Kong, and in Canada, interlocutory orders in civil matters can be appealed by leave of the appellate court. In criminal matters in Canada, the general rule is that there are no interlocutory appeals, except where Parliament has expressly provided. Australian courts and tribunals generally discourage appeals against interlocutory decisions.
See also
*
Interlocutory appeal
An interlocutory appeal (or interim appeal), in the law of civil procedure in the United States, occurs when a ruling by a trial court is appealed while other aspects of the case are still proceeding. Interlocutory appeals are allowed only under s ...
*
Interlocutory injunction
*
Interlocutor (disambiguation)
References
Legal terminology
Legal procedure
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