chambers

A judge's private room or office wherein he or she hears motions, signs papers, and performs other tasks pertaining to his or her office when a session of the court, such as a trial, is not being held.

Business transacted in a private setting is said to be done "in chambers."

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chambers n. the private office of a judge, usually close to the courtroom so that the judge can enter the court from back of the bench and not encounter people on the way. Judges hear some motions, discuss formal legal problems like jury instructions, or conduct hearings on sensitive matters such as adoptions "in chambers." (See: in chambers, in camera)

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See also: lodging

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CHAMBERS, practice. When a judge decides some interlocutory matter, which has arisen in the course of the cause, out of court, he is said to make such decision at his chambers. The most usual applications at chambers take place in relation to taking bail, and staying proceedings on process.