What is the term for the final, formal decision made at the end of a trial?

The term for the final, formal decision made at the end of a trial is "verdict." A verdict specifically refers to the finding or decision made by a jury or judge regarding the matters of fact in the case. It typically concludes the trial process and indicates whether the defendant is found guilty or not guilty, or whether the plaintiff's claims are upheld or denied in civil cases.

While terms like "ruling," "decision," and "judgment" are often used in a legal context, they can refer to different aspects of judicial proceedings. "Ruling" typically pertains to an order or statement made by a judge during the trial, while "decision" can refer more broadly to any conclusion reached by a court or a judge on a specific issue. "Judgment" generally provides the final order of the court that includes the verdict but may also encapsulate the final legal outcome of the case after all matters have been resolved. Thus, "verdict" is precise in denoting the final determination made during the trial's conclusion.