judge-made

American  

[juhj-meyd] / ˈdʒʌdʒˌmeɪd /

adjective

1. established by a court, as by an application or interpretation of a law that is allegedly contrary to the intentions of the enacting body or by a decision that does not rest on legislation.

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judge-made British  

adjective

1. based on a judge's interpretation or decision (esp in the phrase judge-made law )

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Example Sentences

The human consequences of this judge-made doctrine are staggering.

From Washington Post • Oct. 8, 2021

In overturning the appeals court in 9-0 ruling, Justice Neil M. Gorsuch began by noting that “at least 12 members of the 9th Circuit have objected to this judge-made rule.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 13, 2021

Tortious interference is judge-made law intended primarily for business disputes.

From Washington Times • Feb. 24, 2021

English common law, for example, which is unwritten, judge-made law developed over centuries, was one integral part of that system.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2016

But judge-made law, where there is an absolute government and a lax morality, where there is no bar and no public, is a curse and a scandal not to be endured.

From Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches — Volume 4 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron