What concept does 'en banc' convey regarding a court's function?

The term 'en banc' refers to a situation in which a case is heard by all the judges of a court, rather than by a smaller panel traditionally assigned to the case. This concept is significant as it implies that the court is considering the case as a whole, allowing for a more comprehensive deliberation and a united judicial perspective on potentially complex legal issues.

This is often employed in appellate courts when the case is deemed to have substantial precedential value or when the court believes that the case warrants further scrutiny beyond the usual panel's decision. The full court's involvement ensures that any ruling made carries the weight of the entire bench, reinforcing the legitimacy and authority of the court's decision.