What is meant by a prejudicial question in legal terms?

In legal terms, a prejudicial question refers to an issue that must be resolved in order to determine the outcome of a case but is distinct from the main question being adjudicated. Specifically, it often relates to a situation where a question has been previously decided by a different court or tribunal, thereby influencing the current case. This means that the resolution of the prejudicial question may affect the rights and obligations of the parties involved in the case at hand.

For instance, if a matter has been addressed in a separate legal proceeding, and that decision impacts the current case, addressing the prejudicial question is essential before moving forward with hearing the main case. The purpose here is to ensure that conflicting rulings do not occur and to provide clarity and consistency in legal proceedings.

The other options represent questions that do not capture the essence of a prejudicial question. A question intended to delay proceedings addresses a tactical move in law rather than a substantive legal issue. Similarly, a question that does not pertain to the case or one posed before the resolution of jurisdiction does not have the same implications as a prejudicial question, which is specifically tied to previously adjudicated matters affecting the current legal proceedings.