Adjudication is the legal process of resolving disputes and interpreting laws through formal proceedings. This is the primary responsibility of the judiciary.
The judiciary is the arm of government charged with interpreting and applying the law, settling disputes between individuals, between individuals and the state, and between different levels of government. Through adjudication, courts examine evidence, hear arguments from both sides, and deliver binding judgments based on the law.
The three arms of government have distinct primary functions:
The legislature makes laws through the process of legislation.
The executive implements and enforces the laws made by the legislature.
The judiciary interprets the law and adjudicates disputes.
"Politics" is not an arm of government but rather the broader activity of governance and power relations. Adjudication requires an independent and impartial body, which is why constitutions typically guarantee judicial independence to ensure that judges can decide cases without interference from the executive or legislature.