What is the term for the formal pronouncement of a judgment or decree in a legal cause?

The term for the formal pronouncement of a judgment or decree in a legal cause is adjudication. Adjudication refers to the legal process by which a court or an authorized body resolves a dispute, makes a determination on the rights of the parties involved, and issues a judgment or decree. This term encompasses the entire legal procedure from the initial filing to the final decision rendered by the judge or an adjudicative body.

In contrast, a verdict specifically describes the outcome delivered by a jury or judge regarding the facts of a case, typically in a criminal or civil trial. Sentencing refers to the phase following a conviction where the court assigns a penalty or punishment to the convicted individual. Arbitration is a method of resolving disputes outside of court, where an arbitrator makes a decision based on the evidence and arguments presented, but it does not denote a formal legal decree in the same sense as adjudication.