What does "per curiam" indicate in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "per curiam" refers to decisions or opinions issued by the court collectively rather than by a particular judge or justice. This term explicitly indicates that the judgment is made by the court as a whole, often when the matter is considered straightforward or does not require a detailed opinion from an individual judge. Such decisions typically lack the detailed reasoning or dissent associated with specific judge-authored opinions, reinforcing the notion that this ruling reflects the consensus or collective judgment of the court. This collective approach helps streamline the legal process and can enhance the authority of the court's decision, reinforcing the notion of unity in judicial reasoning.