dommen

Dommen is the definite singular form of the noun dom in Danish and Norwegian, meaning a court verdict or ruling. In English, it is commonly translated as “the verdict” or “the judgment.” The word is used to refer to a specific decision issued by a court or tribunal in a legal case.

Linguistic background and form: The base noun dom denotes judgment or ruling, and the definite form dommen is formed by the standard inflection for Danish and Norwegian, attaching a definite suffix to indicate a particular, previously mentioned, or otherwise specified decision. The term traces to Old Norse dómr, reflecting a long-standing legal vocabulary in North Germanic languages.

Usage and content: A dommen typically includes the court’s verdict, the legal reasoning, and any orders or instructions resulting from the decision. In many jurisdictions, the dommen may be accompanied by dissenting opinions, concurring remarks, or detailed statements of facts and applicable law. Citations of dommen are common in legal writing and may reference the court, the case number, and the date of the decision.

Context and scope: Dommen are central to the documentation of judicial activity and the administration of justice. They can originate from trial courts, appellate courts, or supreme tribunals, and their implications may extend to subsequent litigation, administrative action, or legislative interpretation. While the form and procedural rules vary by country, the concept of a formally delivered, publicly accessible judgment is common across legal systems using the term dommen.

See also: verdict, judgment, court ruling, legal decision, Danish law, Norwegian law.