private judge

noun

: a person who acts as judge in a dispute resolved outside of a court of law

Note: The law in some states in the U.S. allows for the parties in a case (such as a divorce or contract dispute) to agree to the appointment of an individual (such as a specialist in a field or a retired judge) to decide the matter outside of a court of law. In such a case, the parties pay for the judge's services and related costs.

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined above

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