An interlocutory decree is a court ruling that resolves a part of a legal dispute, but leaves the final decision to a later date. It is an intermediate, non-final judgment that is issued by a court to provide an immediate solution to the most pressing issues of a case. Essentially, an interlocutory decree helps court proceedings move forward faster since more pressing matters become identified and resolved prior to the issuance of the final judgment.
For example, in a divorce case, a court may issue an interlocutory decree to resolve issues such as child custody, alimony, and spousal support. The final judgment is then subject to another trial or legal proceeding in which the remaining disagreements and contested elements of the divorce are addressed.
Binding Nature of Interlocutory Decrees
Although interlocutory decrees are not the same as final judgments, they are binding on a party who agrees to them or who litigates the issues addressed in the decree. A party who fails to abide by the conditions of the interlocutory decree opens themself up to a breach of contract claim. Therefore, it is important to take interlocutory decrees into consideration when attempting to evaluate the potential outcome of a legal dispute.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an interlocutory decree is an intermediate court ruling that helps move a case forward. It is binding in nature, and therefore it should be taken into consideration when attempting to evaluate potential outcomes of a legal dispute.