A court decision is a formal RULING made by a judge or panel of judges in a court of law. It is the result of a legal process, and is based on the facts of the case and the applicable law. The term 'court decision' can refer to a LET, which is a short-form decision that does not provide an explanation for the RULING; a RULING, which is a more detailed decision that explains the reasoning behind the decision; or a JUDGMENT, which is the final decision of the court.