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Simple English definitions for legal terms
bench memo
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A quick definition of bench memo:
Bench memo: A short document that a lawyer or a judge's law clerk prepares to help the judge understand a case better. It can be used to prepare for a hearing or trial, or to draft an opinion.
A more thorough explanation:
A bench memo is a brief document prepared by a lawyer or a law clerk to assist a judge in making a decision. It can be used in both trial and appellate courts.
1. A trial judge may request a bench memo from a lawyer to help them understand the legal issues involved in a case before making a ruling.
2. An appellate judge's law clerk may prepare a bench memo to help the judge prepare for oral argument and draft an opinion.
These examples illustrate how a bench memo can be used to provide a judge with important information and analysis to help them make a well-informed decision. It can be a valuable tool for both trial and appellate judges.