verdict
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S: Law.jrank –  https://law.jrank.org/pages/11079/Verdict.html  (last access: 13 January 2025); TofM – https://timesofmalta.com/article/Morsi-to-go-on-trial.493220 (last access: 13 January 2025).

N: 1. 1530s, “a jury’s decision in a case,” an alteration of verdit (c. 1300), from Anglo-French verdit (Old French voirdit) “sworn testimony, affidavit; judgment, written record of a verdict,” literally “a true saying or report,” from ver, veir “true” (from PIE root *were-o- “true, trustworthy”) + dit, past participle of dire “to say” (from PIE root *deik- “to show,” also “pronounce solemnly”).

The spelling and pronunciation influenced by Medieval Latin verdictum “a verdict.” The non-legal general sense of “judgment (of the public, etc.), pronounced opinion” is by late 14c. in verdit, which form still was used by Milton.

2. A verdict is an opinion or decision made after judging the facts that are given, especially one made at the end of a trial:

  • The jury reached/returned a unanimous verdict of (not) guilty.
  • Voters gave their verdict on the government’s economic record last night by voting overwhelmingly for the opposition.

3. In a criminal trial, the verdict may include findings such as guilty or not guilty, reflecting whether it has been successfully proven the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In a civil trial, the verdict can entail various outcomes, such as liable or not liable and may also specify the amount of damages to be awarded to the prevailing party.

Summaries of verdicts are often reported in verdict reports. A verdict report usually contains the case name, case number, date of decision, “topic” (e.g. medical malpractice , employment discrimination , etc.), result (i.e. did the plaintiff (s) or defendant (s) win), the amount of the judgment (if any), the alleged injury , jurisdictional information (i.e. state and county where the lawsuit was tried), name of judge , name of attorneys, a brief summary of the facts, a listing of the expert witnesses who were used by the parties, and other miscellaneous information about the lawsuit .

4. Decisions (Practice and Procedural Law)

The opinion in either civil or criminal proceedings of a jury, or of a judge sitting as a jury, on a question of fact. A verdict differs from a judgment in that a verdict is not a judicial determination, but rather a finding of fact, such as a finding of the guilt or innocence of the accused, or a finding that the accused is competent to stand trial.

5. Collocations:

  • Adj: adverse, favourable In the case of an adverse verdict, the company could stand to lose millions. | guilty, not guilty, not proven | majority, unanimous a unanimous verdict of not guilty | formal The jury returned a formal verdict after direction by the judge. | jury, trial | appeal, inquest | accident, accidental death, manslaughter, murder, misadventure, open, suicide An open verdict was the only appropriate one, given the very unclear evidence at the inquest.
  • Verb + verdict: consider The judge sent the jury away to consider its verdict. | agree (on), arrive at, reach They reached a verdict after hours of deliberation. | announce, bring in, deliver, enter, read out, give, pass, pronounce, record, return The verdict was delivered in front of a packed courtroom. The jury returned a verdict of guilty at the end of the trial. The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death. | accept | appeal against, protest against | overturn, quash, reverse, set aside His family always insisted that the original ‘guilty’ verdict should be overturned. | uphold The verdict was upheld at appeal.
  • verdict + verb: be in sb’s favour
  • Prep: against We believe that the verdict against him was unfair. | of a verdict of accidental death

6. Cultural Interrelation:

  • Verdict of Twelve (1940) by Raymond Postgate (1896–1971) is a compelling courtroom drama centered around a jury of twelve individuals, each bringing unique biases and personal histories. The story follows their deliberations in deciding the fate of a woman accused of poisoning her nephew. Through this lens, the novel intricately examines justice, morality, and the powerful influence of personal prejudice on the judicial process, offering a profound commentary on human nature.
  • In the theatrical sphere, one of the most significant examples is Verdict (1958) by Agatha Christie (1890–1976). The play tells the story of Karl Hendryk, a brilliant professor who has fled persecution in his homeland with his ailing wife and cousin. Now settled in England, the family’s fragile equilibrium is disrupted when a young and ambitious student develops an interest in Karl, triggering a series of events that test the characters’ relationships, values, and emotional resilience. The drama masterfully intertwines themes of loyalty, ethical dilemmas, and unspoken desires.
  • The 2012 Canadian film Verdict, directed by Warren P. Sonoda, takes a contemporary approach to exploring the complexities of the legal system. This TV movie portrays various court cases, delving into the intricate dynamics of trials and the far-reaching consequences of judicial decisions on the individuals involved. By highlighting both the procedural and human aspects of the justice system, the film underscores the weight of verdicts in shaping lives and communities.

S: 1. Etymonline – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=verdict  (last access: 13 January 2025). 2. CD – https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/verdict (last access: 13 January 2025). 3. LawCorn –  https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/verdict#:~:text=A%20verdict%20is%20the%20formal,a%20trial%20or%20legal%20proceeding (13 January 2025). 4. TERMIUM PLUS – https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-fra.html?lang=fra&i=1&srchtxt=verdict&index=ent&codom2nd_wet=1#resultrecs (last access: 13 January 2025).  5. OD –https://www.freecollocation.com/search?word=verdict  (last access: 13 January 2025). 6. Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Raymond-Postgate-ebook/dp/B07VNH2LH5/ref=sr_ , https://www.amazon.es/Verdict-Agatha-Christie/dp/0573114803 (last access: 13 January 2025);  IMDb – https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt2241536/?utm_ (last access: 13 January 2025).

SYN:
S:

CR: judge, judgment, trial, trial in camera.