JUDICIAL ACTION
The adjudication by the court of a controversy by hearing the cause and determining the respective rights of the parties.
A judgment, decree, or decision rendered by
a court, which concerns a contested issue
brought before the tribunal by parties who vol-
untarily appear or who have been notified to
appear by SERVICE OF PROCESS. It is the inter-
pretation, application, and enforcement of exist-
ing law relating to a particular set of facts in a
particular case. Judicial action is the determina-
tion of the rights and interests of adverse parties.
Judicial action is taken only when a JUSTI-
CIABLE controversy arises or where a claim of
right is asserted against a party who has an inter-
est in contesting that claim. A court does not
make a decision when a hypothetical difference
exists but only when there is an actual contro-
versy affecting the rights and interests of the
