Advisory Opinion

 

“A formal opinion by a judge, a court, or a law officer upon a question of law submitted by a legislative body or a governmental official but not presented in a concrete case at law and having no binding force.

 

Source: Webster’s Third New International Dictionary

 

 

“Such may be rendered by a court at the request of the government or an interested party indicating how the court would rule on a matter should adversary litigation develop. An advisory opinion is thus an interpretation of the law without binding effect. While the International Court of Justice and some state courts will render advisory opinions the federal courts will not; their jurisdiction being restricted to cases or controversies.”

 

Source:  Black’s Law Dictionary, 6^th Edition