threejudge

Threejudge refers to a court or tribunal composed of three judges that decide a case. The three-judge format is a common structural element in many legal systems, used to broaden deliberation, reduce the influence of a single judge, and share workload while preserving adjudicatory authority.

In the United States federal system, three-judge configurations appear in two main forms. First, three-judge district courts (or three-judge panels within a district court) are required for certain sensitive or high-stakes proceedings, most notably some redistricting and apportionment challenges and related constitutional actions. In these cases, the panel, drawn from the district’s active judges, issue a single ruling that is subject to appellate review by the relevant United States court of appeals.

Second, appellate courts frequently decide most matters on a three-judge panel. Federal appellate panels typically consist of three judges, with decisions rendered by majority vote. If a party seeks further review, the court can grant rehearing en banc, bringing the full circuit into consideration.

Beyond the United States, many other jurisdictions employ three-judge panels for appellate or quasi-judicial proceedings. The three-judge format is valued for distributing responsibility, enhancing collegial decision-making, and providing a built-in mechanism for checks and balances within the judiciary.

Critiques of the three-judge approach note potential delays in reaching a decision, the complexity of panel dynamics, and the possibility that panel composition can influence outcomes. Nonetheless, the three-judge structure remains a widely used and enduring element of judicial systems that aim to balance efficiency with deliberation.

See also: panel of judges, en banc, redistricting litigation, 28 U.S.C. § 2284.