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go behind a judgment

English translation: To call into question

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:go behind a judgment
Selected answer:To call into question
Entered by: B D Finch

06:45 Jul 17, 2009
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Law/Patents - Law (general)
English term or phrase: go behind a judgment
Dear colleagues!

I am currently translating several documents relating to ancillary relief proceedings in the UK. One of these documents is a transcription of the submissions made by the counsel for the respondent.

"Without in any way trying to go behind your clear judgment reached, there is a great likelihood of mischief".

What's your understanding of this "without in any way trying to go behind your clear judgment reached". I can infer from the general context what it should mean, but I'd like to know a) what it means from a native speaker's perspective and b) whether this is good English at all.

Answers from native speakers only please!

Thank you in advance.
innsbruck
To call into question
Explanation:
I think that this is a slightly devious bit of phrasing intended to (gently) question a judgement, while claiming not to be doing any such thing.

Regarding the language, it does seem somewhat archaic. It is probably perfectly OK if it dates from the mid-19th century or earlier.
Selected response from:

B D Finch
France
Local time: 03:11
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
3 +4To call into question
B D Finch
5well-intentioned opinion (position)
Charlesp
4from the expression behind your back
Michael Iakovides
2filing a motion
cmorin


  

Answers


44 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
from the expression behind your back


Explanation:
I think they could have used a better expression. It's not wrong per se (what is wrong is the your clear judgment reached, it should read the clear judgement you reached). What they mean that they are not trying to suvert the ruling/judgement, but I think it is a bit of a poor choice of phrase (something along the lines of 'without in any way attempting to subvert the clear judgement you reached,..' would be better)


Michael Iakovides
Local time: 04:11
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GreekGreek, Native in EnglishEnglish
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
To call into question


Explanation:
I think that this is a slightly devious bit of phrasing intended to (gently) question a judgement, while claiming not to be doing any such thing.

Regarding the language, it does seem somewhat archaic. It is probably perfectly OK if it dates from the mid-19th century or earlier.

B D Finch
France
Local time: 03:11
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 72
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tina Vonhof (X): Much legal language sounds archaic.
2 hrs
  -> Thanks Tina. It does, but it shouldn't and the work of the Plain English Society has had some success and recognition.
agree  warren
3 days 4 hrs
  -> Thanks warren
agree  eski: Excellent choice of words. :))
3 days 11 hrs
  -> Thanks eski
agree  orientalhorizon: The sentence actually means: your judgment is clear, we all know that, but we have to analyze why you reached such a decision and in the process give our disagreement, otherwise, there could be damage or unfairness from implementing such a judgment.
5 days
  -> Thanks oh. I think you might be somewhat over-translating the source text.
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7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
filing a motion


Explanation:
I think going behind a judgment would be filing a motion

cmorin
Local time: 20:11
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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3 days 2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
well-intentioned opinion (position)


Explanation:
what they concluded, even though there was other monkey business

Charlesp
Sweden
Local time: 03:11
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  B D Finch: Re "monkey business", I think "mischief" has to be understood here as having its pre-20th century meaning.
11 days
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