hot bench

plural hot benches

1. A judge or panel of judges who are very active in asking questions during an oral argument.

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

   1983, Edward Domenic Re, Brief writing and oral argument, page 159

   3 more examples

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

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

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

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

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

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