Also known as: your honour · the court
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A formal title of respect used when addressing a judge in a court proceeding.
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Youssef Yang sued Yield Investments after closing on commercial property. At the hearing Youssef addressed the bench and said Your Honor the prior contract promise to build a boundary fence was independent of the deed so merger does not bar the claim. The court examined the parties intent and allowed the action to proceed.
Yolanda Young was represented by counsel in a federal civil action. When the opposing party attempted direct service she told the judge Your Honor Rule 5 requires service on my attorney not on me personally. The court agreed and quashed the improper service.
Yannick Yoo requested that the court take judicial notice of a geographic fact. He stated Your Honor I am entitled to be heard on the propriety of this notice under Rule 201(e). The court scheduled a hearing before deciding whether to notice the fact.
Yvonne Yeager moved for sanctions after opposing counsel made remarks based on national origin. She told the judge Your Honor Rule 2.3 requires you to direct counsel to refrain from such conduct. The court issued an order barring further statements of that kind.
Yvette Ybarra sued after an instrument left in her body during surgery. She argued to the court Your Honor the facts permit the jury to draw an inference of negligence under section 328D. The court ruled that whether the inference must be drawn was for the jury to decide.
Yasmine Young a state officer refused to perform federal background checks. She told the judge Your Honor the federal government cannot commandeer state officials under the Tenth Amendment. The court applied the anti-commandeering principle and dismissed the enforcement action.
The term is the standard formal address for a judge during court proceedings. It signals respect and maintains courtroom decorum. Lawyers and parties use it when speaking directly to the bench.
Supporting sources
The term is used for any judge presiding over a proceeding whether trial or appellate. It is the conventional respectful address in open court regardless of the level of court.
Supporting sources
Failure to use the term does not affect substantive rights but may draw a mild judicial correction to preserve courtroom formality. Courts expect respectful address as a matter of professional etiquette.
Supporting sources
…Townsend Hooe, and William Harper, by their counsel Charles Lee, late Attorney General of the United States, severally moved the court for a rule to James Madison, Secretary of State of the United States, to show cause why a mandamus should not issue commanding him to cause to be delivered to them respectively their…