docket

[dok-it]

noun

1. Also called trial docket. a list of cases in court for trial, or the names of the parties who have cases pending.

2. Chiefly British.

   1. an official memorandum or entry of proceedings in a legal cause.

   2. a register of such entries.

   3. any of various certificates or warrants giving the holder right to obtain, buy, or move goods that are controlled by the government, as a custom-house docket certifying duty has been paid.

3. the list of business to be transacted by a board, council, legislative assembly, or the like.

4. British.,  a writing on a letter or document stating its contents; any statement of particulars attached to a package, envelope, etc.; a label or ticket.

verb (used with object)

docketed, docketing 

1. Law.,  to enter in the docket of the court.

2. Law.,  to make an abstract or summary of the heads of, as a document; abstract and enter in a book.

   judgments regularly docketed.

3. to endorse (a letter, document, etc.) with a memorandum.

docket

/ ˈdɒkɪt /

noun

1. a piece of paper accompanying or referring to a package or other delivery, stating contents, delivery instructions, etc, sometimes serving as a receipt

2. law

   1. an official summary of the proceedings in a court of justice

   2. a register containing such a summary

3. 1. a customs certificate declaring that duty has been paid

   2. a certificate giving particulars of a shipment and allowing its holder to obtain a delivery order

4. a summary of contents, as in a document

5. a list of things to be done

6. law

   1. a list of cases awaiting trial

   2. the names of the parties to pending litigation

verb

1. to fix a docket to (a package, etc)

2. law

   1. to make a summary of (a document, judgment, etc)

   2. to abstract and enter in a book or register

3. to endorse (a document, etc) with a summary

Other Word Forms

• redocket verb (used with object)
• undocketed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of docket¹

First recorded in 1475–85; earlier dogget, of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of docket¹

C15: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Using the so-called “shadow docket,” the justices allowed him to fire someone the law says he should not be allowed to fire.

From Salon

“Our emergency docket should never be used, as it has been this year, to permit what our own precedent bars,” she wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

The public can comment on the proposed hike at the meeting on Thursday or in the docket for the case.

From Los Angeles Times

Many suspect the Supreme Court will soon use its emergency, or “shadow,” docket to allow them to proceed.

From Salon

When asked to explain the court’s “shadow docket”, she ad-libbed a hypothetical all but identical to Monday’s real decision.

From Los Angeles Times