Avizandum meaning

In Scottish court practice, avizandum (often “making avizandum with the cause”) means the judge reserves judgment, deferring the decision to consider the evidence and submissions before issuing a written judgment and interlocutor later. It is a descriptive Scots law term, not a statutory definition, and is used routinely in the Court of Session and Sheriff Court after proof or legal debate. Key features and practice points: - No immediate outcome is given; the court takes time to reflect and prepare reasons. - No further hearing occurs unless the court requests additional submissions. - Interim orders can remain in place during avizandum. - Time limits for any appeal normally run from the date the judgment or interlocutor is issued, not from the date avizandum is made. Jurisdictional note: The concept is broadly equivalent to a “reserved judgment” in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland, where the term avizandum is not used but the practice—delivering judgment later after consideration—is the same.