hand down a decision

phrase

of a court
: to officially decide a case by vote
On Friday, the Supreme Court handed down a decision upholding the new law.
The Court of Appeals handed down a 4–2 decision in favor of the new law.

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“Hand down a decision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand%20down%20a%20decision. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

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