merits docket

American  

[mer-its dok-it] / ˈmɛr ɪts ˌdɒk ɪt /

noun

1. a list of the cases resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court in a recorded vote after full briefing and oral arguments, and with written opinions signed by individual justices.

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Etymology

Origin of merits docket

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

merits docket

For the merits docket, we counted only signed decisions in argued cases, the typical format for those rulings.

From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026

It leads to this interplay between the shadow docket and the merits docket.

From Slate ● Jun. 1, 2026

The merits docket – the ordinary process – is methodical.

From Salon ● Apr. 25, 2026

Instead, the Supreme Court “deferred” judgment in the cases, then moved them off the shadow docket and onto the merits docket, setting oral arguments for April.

From Slate ● Mar. 17, 2026

Those orders are in contrast to the merits docket, the 60 to 70 cases each year that go through rounds of briefing and oral argument before being resolved in long, signed opinions for the court.

From New York Times ● Apr. 13, 2022