Plenary Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Plenary, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Plenary?

adj.In the court of law this term is used to define a trial which is complete in every particular,satisfactory and has taken into consideration all the facts related to the trial.

History and Meaning of Plenary

The term "plenary" comes from the Latin word "plenus" which means "full." In the legal context, plenary refers to a trial that is complete, full, and comprehensive in every aspect. This means that every aspect of the trial is considered, and all relevant evidence is presented before the court.

Examples of Plenary

  1. A plenary hearing was conducted to consider all the evidence related to the case before making a final decision.

  2. The court ordered a plenary trial to be held to determine the extent of the damages caused by the defendant.

  3. The judge declared that a plenary hearing was necessary to consider all the evidence presented in this complex case.

  4. The state requires a plenary hearing before granting parole to an inmate.

Legal Terms Similar to Plenary

  1. En banc: This is a legal term used to describe a hearing before all the judges of a court of appeals. Unlike plenary, which refers to a trial, en banc refers to a hearing.

  2. Comprehensive: This term means complete and all-inclusive, similar to plenary.

  3. Exhaustive: This term is used to describe a thorough and comprehensive investigation or analysis, similar to a plenary hearing.