裁判長(さいばんちょう)

さいばんちょう
noun
presiding judge
formaloccupationlaw
1. presiding judge; chief judge
The judge who leads and presides over court proceedings.
裁判長(さいばんちょう)が判決(はんけつ)を言(い)い渡(わた)した。
The presiding judge delivered the verdict.
裁判長(さいばんちょう)、異議(いぎ)があります。
Your Honor, I have an objection.
裁判長(さいばんちょう)が開廷(かいてい)を宣言(せんげん)した。
The presiding judge declared the court in session.

Usage

The 裁判長(さいばんちょう) manages the trial, maintains courtroom order, questions witnesses, and delivers the verdict. In Japan's three-judge panel system (合議制(ごうぎせい)), the 裁判長(さいばんちょう) leads the other two judges.
In court, lawyers address the judge as 裁判長(さいばんちょう) ("Your Honor"). The phrase 裁判長(さいばんちょう)、異議(いぎ)があります ("Your Honor, I object") is well-known from courtroom dramas.

Similar words

Related Words

Related: 裁判官(さいばんかん)
Related: 裁判所(さいばんしょ)
Compare: 判事(はんじ) (judge)
Compare: 検察官(けんさつかん) (prosecutor)
Compare: 弁護士(べんごし) (lawyer, attorney)
general
Added 2026.2.3 14:02 · Revised 2026.10.4 9:21
09500/09666_saibanchou