hot bench

English

Noun

hot bench (plural hot benches)

1. A judge or panel of judges who are very active in asking questions during an oral argument.
   • 1983, Edward Domenic Re, Brief writing and oral argument, page 159:

     When arguing before a hot bench flexibility is of the greatest importance.

   • 1993, William H. Wolff, James A. Brogan, Appellate Practice and Procedure in Ohio, page 53:

     Is it a hot bench or a cold bench? Do the particular judges on the panel ask a lot of questions?

   • 1995, Aspen Publishers Editorial, Almanac of the Federal Judiciary, page 39:

     They have a reputation for being a hot bench. They come in knowing the case, sometimes better than the lawyers.

   • 2009, Michael J. Kelly, Lives of Lawyers Revisited: Transformation and Resilience in the Organizations of Practice, page 82:

     David Moskovitz, a commissioner who served under Bradford, was notorious for introducing questions and issues and otherwise being a hot bench during hearings.