I believe it is the act of interrogation itself, especially by a judge, although it appears to also sometimes signify a hearing. I highly doubt it is the result of the hearing.

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Note added at 7 mins (2011-04-25 09:18:48 GMT)
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This website, an excellent resource for patent-related legal terms, has "interrogation" as well:
http://www.japanese-translating.com/patent.euc
I would _not_ translate it as "examination," which has a different meaning in the context of patents.

ex parte hearing
審尋; 一方当事者のみの審理
□裁判所または審判所が行う, 事件の一方当事者だけに陳述の機会を与える hearing (審理).
英米法辞典

http://www.furutani.co.jp/cgi-bin/term.cgi?title=�R�q
http://eng.alc.co.jp/newsbiz/hinata/2005/12/post_158.html
http://www.jpo.go.jp/shiryou/toushin/chousa/pdf/zaisanken/19...

http://www.furutani.co.jp/cgi-bin/term.cgi?title=�R�q

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Note added at 32 mins (2011-04-25 09:43:28 GMT)
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審尋
訴訟において、個別的に当事者その他の利害関係人に陳述の機会を与えること。産業財産権制度においては、審判長は、審判に関し、当事者及び参加人を審尋することができるとされている（特許法第１３４条４項。実用新案法第３９条第４項。意匠法、商標法においては特許法の規定を準用。）

questioning = 審尋
http://www.patro.co.jp/glossaries/dic_e-j_q.html




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Note added at 43 mins (2011-04-25 09:54:42 GMT)
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Please see the above patent glossary site.


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Note added at 18 hrs (2011-04-26 03:28:28 GMT)
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Please see the above patent-related glossary site. I suppose my suggestion is right,but interrogation Spencer peovides with is more technical,I think.

trial hearing, not the judgment