“Discretion” refers to the power or authority granted to someone, typically a judge or a public official, to make decisions based on their own judgement and interpretation of the law, rather than being strictly bound by specific rules or regulations. It involves the ability to exercise judgement and choose among various options when making decisions. Discretion is often exercised in legal contexts such as sentencing, where judges have discretion to determine appropriate penalties within the bounds of the law, or in administrative decision-making, where officials have discretion to interpret regulations and policies in specific cases.
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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.
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