1.
presiding judge; chief judge
The judge who leads and presides over court proceedings.
裁判長が判決を言い渡した。
The presiding judge delivered the verdict.
裁判長、異議があります。
Your Honor, I have an objection.
裁判長が開廷を宣言した。
The presiding judge declared the court in session.
裁判長 is the presiding judge who leads court proceedings. Composed of 裁判 (trial, judgment) + 長 (chief, head).
ROLE:
The 裁判長 manages the trial, maintains courtroom order, questions witnesses, and delivers the verdict. In Japan's three-judge panel system (合議制), the 裁判長 leads the other two judges.
USAGE:
In court, lawyers address the judge as 裁判長 ("Your Honor"). The phrase 裁判長、異議があります ("Your Honor, I object") is well-known from courtroom dramas.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 裁判官: judge (general term for any judge)
- 判事: judge (formal title in the court system)
- 裁判所: court, courthouse
- 検察官: prosecutor
- 弁護士: lawyer, attorney