open court
open court — noun
1. a court meeting that any person from the general public may come to watch or lis
a court meeting that any person from the general public may come to watch or listen to
The judge decided that the hearing would continue in open court so reporters could attend.
in open court — adverbial phrase for public proceedings
Astrid sat in the public gallery and watched the case being heard in open court.
collocation: heard in open court
The lawyer wanted the evidence presented in open court rather than behind closed doors.
In open court, anyone who walks into the building can listen to the legal arguments.
Aoi wrote down everything that was said in open court that morning.
- public hearing
broader term — can refer to any public meeting, not just a judicial one
- in camera
Latin legal term meaning 'in chambers' or 'in private', where the public is not allowed
文法句型
in open court
用法筆記
Almost always used in the adverbial phrase 'in open court' rather than as a standalone subject. This sense emphasises public access; distinguish from sense 2, which focuses on the formal, recorded nature of the session.
常見錯誤
2. an official meeting of a court with a judge present, where legal business is con
an official meeting of a court with a judge present, where legal business is conducted and a written record is kept
The witness gave her statement in open court with the judge sitting at the bench.
in open court — formal setting for testimony
Arjun presented the signed contract to the judge in open court this morning.
collocation: presented (evidence/document) in open court
Baraka stood before the judge in open court as the verdict was read aloud.
The court reporter typed every word that was spoken in open court during the trial.
In open court, the judge asked Hamza if he understood the charges against him.
- public trial
a narrower kind of open court proceeding that specifically involves determining guilt or innocence
- closed session
a private meeting, often with only the judge and attorneys present
文法句型
in open court
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (PUBLIC ACCESS): this sense emphasises the formal, recorded, judge-presided nature of the proceeding rather than public accessibility — though the two features usually overlap.