What is defined as the final decision of a court?

The term defined as the final decision of a court is "Judgment." In legal terminology, a judgment is the official decision rendered by a judge or jury that concludes a legal proceeding. It often includes a determination of the rights and obligations of the parties involved in the case, and it is enforceable by law. A judgment may order one party to pay damages, grant specific relief, or dismiss a case, thereby providing a clear resolution to the matters presented in court.

The other terms, while related to the legal process, do not encapsulate the finality of a court's decision in the same way. A verdict refers to the decision made by a jury regarding the facts of the case, typically in a jury trial, prior to the judge issuing a judgment based on that verdict. A ruling is a broader term that can refer to any decision made by a judge during the course of a trial, not necessarily the final decision. A settlement, on the other hand, is an agreement reached by the parties to resolve a dispute outside of court, which may or may not involve a formal judgment depending on whether it is recorded in court. Thus, "Judgment" accurately reflects the final and formal outcome determined by the court.