Judgment vs. Award — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 2, 2024
A judgment is a legal decision made by a court regarding the rights and liabilities of parties in a case, while an award is the outcome of arbitration or a recognition given for achievement.
Difference Between Judgment and Award
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Judgment is a formal decision rendered by a judge or court at the conclusion of a lawsuit, determining the outcome of the legal issues presented, including the allocation of damages and enforcement of rights. This decision is based on the application of law to the facts presented during the trial. On the other hand, an award refers to the decision made by an arbitrator in an arbitration proceeding, which is a form of alternative dispute resolution outside the traditional court system, or it can denote a prize or recognition given to someone for a particular achievement.
The process leading to a judgment involves formal litigation, adherence to procedural laws, presentation of evidence, and legal arguments in a court setting. This process is public, and the judgment is enforceable by law. Whereas an award from arbitration results from a more private, often less formal process agreed upon by the parties, focusing on resolving disputes without going to court. When used in the context of recognition, an award is given based on criteria set by the awarding body and does not involve a legal process.
Judgments are enforceable by the legal system and can be appealed in higher courts under certain circumstances. They affect the legal rights and obligations of the parties involved and have a direct impact on their legal status or property. In contrast, arbitration awards are final and binding with limited grounds for appeal, intended to provide a quicker resolution to disputes. Awards as recognition, however, carry no legal force but can significantly impact an individual's or organization's reputation and opportunities.
The authority to issue a judgment lies exclusively with duly appointed judges or magistrates within the judicial system, ensuring that decisions adhere to legal standards and precedents. Conversely, awards in arbitration are given by arbitrators chosen by the parties, who may not necessarily be legal professionals but are selected for their expertise in the relevant field. Recognition awards are given by institutions, organizations, or committees, depending on their specific criteria and purposes.
While judgments primarily resolve disputes by determining fault, liability, and remedies according to law, awards either resolve disputes in a non-judicial manner or celebrate achievements, innovation, or excellence in various fields without the implication of resolving legal conflicts.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Legal decision by a court.
Arbitration outcome or recognition for achievement.
Process
Formal litigation in court.
Arbitration or selection by an awarding body.
Enforceability
By the legal system.
Final and binding (arbitration) or honorary (recognition).
Appealability
Possible under certain conditions.
Limited in arbitration, not applicable to recognition.
Impact
Affects legal rights and obligations.
Resolves disputes or honors achievements.
Authority
Judges or magistrates.
Arbitrators or awarding bodies.
Publicity
Public record.
Private (arbitration), public recognition.
Legal Force
Yes, enforceable.
Yes in arbitration, no in recognition.
Compare with Definitions
Judgment
A final decision by a court regarding a legal matter.
The court's judgment awarded damages to the plaintiff.
Award
The decision made by an arbitrator in a dispute.
The arbitration award required the company to compensate the employee.
Judgment
Enforceable by law.
The creditor sought enforcement of the judgment for debt recovery.
Award
Recognition given for achievement or excellence.
She received an award for her contributions to science.
Judgment
Can be appealed in higher courts.
The losing party decided to appeal the judgment.
Award
Result of an arbitration process.
The dispute was resolved with an award favoring the contractor.
Judgment
Determines legal rights and liabilities.
The judgment clarified the ownership of the disputed property.
Award
Reflects excellence in various fields.
The novel received a prestigious literary award.
Judgment
Based on evidence and legal arguments.
After reviewing the case, the judge issued a judgment in favor of the defendant.
Award
Not necessarily legally binding when for recognition.
The film won several awards at the international festival.
Judgment
The act or process of judging; the formation of an opinion after consideration or deliberation.
Award
An award, sometimes called a distinction, is something given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration.
Judgment
An opinion or estimate formed after consideration or deliberation, especially a formal or authoritative decision
Awaited the judgment of the umpire.
Award
To grant as merited or due
Awarded prizes to the winners.
Judgment
The mental ability to perceive and distinguish relationships; discernment
Fatigue may affect a pilot's judgment of distances.
Award
To grant an amount or other benefit legally due
Awarded damages to the plaintiff.
Judgment
The capacity to form an opinion by distinguishing and evaluating
His judgment of fine music is impeccable.
Award
Something awarded or granted, as for merit.
Judgment
The capacity to assess situations or circumstances and draw sound conclusions; good sense
She showed good judgment in saving her money.
Award
An amount or other benefit granted as legally due.
Judgment
A determination of a court of law; a judicial decision.
Award
(legal) A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.
Judgment
A court decision establishing that an obligation is owed, such as a debt.
Award
(legal) The paper containing the decision of arbitrators; that which is warded.
Judgment
A misfortune believed to be sent by God as punishment for sin.
Award
A trophy or medal; something that denotes an accomplishment, especially in a competition. A prize or honor based on merit.
Judgment
Judgment The Last Judgment.
Award
A negotiated minimum wage that is set for a particular trade or industry; an industrial award.
Judgment
The act of judging.
Award
(intransitive) To determine; to make or grant an award.
Judgment
The power or faculty of performing such operations; especially, when unqualified, the faculty of judging or deciding rightly, justly, or wisely
A man of judgment / a man of good judgment
A politician without judgment
Award
(transitive) To give (an award).
Four or five of these medals are awarded every year.
Judgment
The conclusion or result of judging; an opinion; a decision.
Award
(transitive) To give (a person) an award.
He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Judgment
(legal) The act of determining, as in courts of law, what is conformable to law and justice; also, the determination, decision, or sentence of a court, or of a judge.
Award
To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case.
The arbitrators awarded damages to the complainant
Judgment
(theology) The final award; the last sentence.
Award
To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case; to adjudge; as, the arbitrators awarded damages to the complainant.
To reviewThe wrongful sentence, and award a new.
Judgment
The act of judging; the operation of the mind, involving comparison and discrimination, by which a knowledge of the values and relations of things, whether of moral qualities, intellectual concepts, logical propositions, or material facts, is obtained; as, by careful judgment he avoided the peril; by a series of wrong judgments he forfeited confidence.
I oughte deme, of skilful jugement,That in the salte sea my wife is deed.
Award
To determine; to make an award.
Judgment
The power or faculty of performing such operations (see 1); esp., when unqualified, the faculty of judging or deciding rightly, justly, or wisely; good sense; as, a man of judgment; a politician without judgment.
He shall judge thy people with righteousness and thy poor with judgment.
Hernia. I would my father look'd but with my eyes.Theseus. Rather your eyes must with his judgment look.
Award
A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.
An award had been given against.
Judgment
The conclusion or result of judging; an opinion; a decision.
She in my judgment was as fair as you.
Who first his judgment asked, and then a place.
Award
The paper containing the decision of arbitrators; that which is warded.
Judgment
The act of determining, as in courts of law, what is conformable to law and justice; also, the determination, decision, or sentence of a court, or of a judge; the mandate or sentence of God as the judge of all.
In judgments between rich and poor, consider not what the poor man needs, but what is his own.
Most heartily I do beseech the courtTo give the judgment.
Award
A grant made by a law court;
He criticized the awarding of compensation by the court
Judgment
That act of the mind by which two notions or ideas which are apprehended as distinct are compared for the purpose of ascertaining their agreement or disagreement. See 1. The comparison may be threefold: (1) Of individual objects forming a concept. (2) Of concepts giving what is technically called a judgment. (3) Of two judgments giving an inference. Judgments have been further classed as analytic, synthetic, and identical.
A judgment is the mental act by which one thing is affirmed or denied of another.
The power by which we are enabled to perceive what is true or false, probable or improbable, is called by logicians the faculty of judgment.
Award
A tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction;
An award for bravery
Judgment
A calamity regarded as sent by God, by way of recompense for wrong committed; a providential punishment.
Award
Something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery;
The prize was a free trip to Europe
Judgment
The final award; the last sentence.
Award
Give, especially as a reward;
Bestow honors and prizes at graduation
Judgment
An opinion formed by judging something;
He was reluctant to make his judgment known
She changed her mind
Award
Give on the basis of merit;
Funds are granted to qualified researchers
Judgment
The act of judging or assessing a person or situation or event;
They criticized my judgment of the contestants
Award
Bestow an honor upon
Judgment
(law) the determination by a court of competent jurisdiction on matters submitted to it
Judgment
The cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions
Judgment
The legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision;
Opinions are usually written by a single judge
Judgment
The capacity to assess situations or circumstances shrewdly and to draw sound conclusions
Judgment
Ability to make good judgments
Common Curiosities
Can a judgment be challenged?
Yes, judgments can be appealed under certain conditions in higher courts.
What types of awards are there besides arbitration awards?
Awards can also include recognitions for achievements in various fields, such as arts, sciences, and sports.
Is an arbitration award final?
Yes, arbitration awards are generally final with limited grounds for appeal.
How are judges and arbitrators selected?
Judges are appointed by the government, while arbitrators are chosen by the disputing parties, often for their expertise in a specific field.
What distinguishes a judgment from an arbitration award?
A judgment is a court's decision in a legal case, while an arbitration award is the result of a dispute resolved outside of court.
Can anyone enforce an award for recognition?
Awards for recognition do not have legal enforceability; they serve as honorary distinctions.
How does one receive an award for achievements?
Individuals or organizations receive awards based on criteria set by awarding bodies, often through nominations and evaluations.
What is the role of evidence in judgments and awards?
In judgments, evidence is crucial for determining legal outcomes. In arbitration, evidence also plays a key role, though the process may be less formal than in court.
What impact do legal judgments have on individuals?
Judgments can significantly affect an individual's legal rights, obligations, and financial status.
How does an award recognize achievement?
Awards acknowledge excellence, innovation, or contribution in specific fields, enhancing the recipient's reputation and opportunities.
Can the enforcement of a judgment be refused?
Enforcement can be challenged based on procedural errors or jurisdictional issues, among other grounds.
What benefits do recognition awards provide?
They offer prestige, public acknowledgment, and sometimes monetary benefits or opportunities for the recipients.
How are disputes resolved in achieving an arbitration award?
Through presentations of evidence and arguments before an arbitrator, who then makes a binding decision based on the merits.
Why might parties choose arbitration over court litigation?
Parties may prefer arbitration for its confidentiality, speed, and the ability to select specialized arbitrators.
Are awards in arbitration subject to public disclosure?
Arbitration proceedings and awards are typically private, unlike court judgments which are public.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
