sub judice

American

[suhb joo-di-see, soob yoo-di-ke] / sʌb ˈdʒu dɪˌsi, sʊb ˈyu dɪˌkɛ /

adverb

before a judge or court; awaiting judicial determination.

sub judice British

/ ˈdʒuːdɪsɪ /

adjective

(usually postpositive) before a court of law or a judge; under judicial consideration

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sub judice

First recorded in 1605–15, sub judice is from Latin sub jūdice

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The rules of sub judice contempt require that journalists cannot report someone is guilty of a crime before they are convicted, which is why the word “alleged” is so ubiquitous in crime reporting.

From The Guardian • Aug. 31, 2019

But media still face charges for sub judice contempt.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 26, 2019

But reporters still face the potential of charges for sub judice contempt, which alleges the reporting of the first trial interfered with the administration of justice in the second trial.

From Washington Post • Feb. 28, 2019

His lawyer Betina Hald Engmark has told the BBC he is not guilty but as the case is sub judice - under judicial consideration - she is not allowed to say any more.

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2017

Normally, a case that is sub judice cannot be commented upon in public or in the press.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023