interlocutory

adjective

in·​ter·​loc·​u·​to·​ry ˌin-tər-ˈlä-kyə-ˌtȯr-ē 

: made during the progress of a legal action and not final or definitive

an interlocutory appeal

an interlocutory decree

Examples of interlocutory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fact that the case is not yet settled complicates the appeals process, prompting the SEC’s motion to seek leave to file an interlocutory appeal. —Byleo Schwartz, Fortune Crypto, 9 Aug. 2023

Additionally, Johnson filed two interlocutory appeals to the state appellate court, which paused action on his case here, and filed three motions to dismiss the charges. —Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2023

Texas law also allowed the attorney general’s office to make an interlocutory appeal, a type of appeal that allows an injunction to be blocked before the state Supreme Court makes a decision. —Allie Kelly, Dallas News, 8 Aug. 2023

Newton County Circuit Court Judge Jeryl Leach, who is presiding over the case, granted the motion for interlocutory appeal in April, but Martinez is still under indictment and the trial is set to begin August 15, said Paul Stracci, Martinez’s attorney, previously. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2022

The Indiana Court of Appeals granted a petition from Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez on Wednesday for acceptance of interlocutory appeal, which means the court will determine if the case against him for allegedly resisting law enforcement and reckless driving should be dismissed. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2022

Once Leach issues the order granting the motion for interlocutory appeal, Stracci said he and his co-counsel J. Michael Woods have 30 days to file a motion with the appeals court. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2022

Rudofsky said had Payton done so, granting a motion on the stop and search claims while Payton pursued an interlocutory appeal on the handcuffing claim would have enabled the 8th Circuit to take up all three claims in one hearing. —Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2023

No factor suggests that interlocutory appeal is appropriate. —Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 22 June 2022

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

interlocutory

adjective

in·​ter·​loc·​u·​to·​ry ˌin-tər-ˈlä-kyə-ˌtōr-ē 

: not final or definitive

an interlocutory order

broadly : made or done during the progress of an action especially when delay would cause irreversible injury

an interlocutory appeal

Etymology

Medieval Latin interlocutorius, from Late Latin interloqui to pronounce an interlocutory sentence, from Latin, to speak between