Bench (law)

Imagine you are playing a game with your friends and there is someone called the referee who makes sure everyone follows the rules. In the same way, in a court, there are people called judges who make decisions about whether something is right or wrong based on the rules of the law.

Now, the bench in a courtroom is where the judges sit. It's like their special seat that's raised higher than the seats for everyone else in the room. When a judge sits on the bench, they are in charge and everyone else has to follow their orders.

So, when someone is talking about a "bench trial", it means that the judge will be the one to make the decision about the case instead of a jury. The judge will listen to all the evidence and arguments presented and use their knowledge of the law to decide what is fair and just.

Overall, the bench is an important symbol of authority in a courtroom and it is where the judge sits to make decisions that affect people's lives.