What does remanding mean?
Remanding is a legal verb meaning to send a person back into custody, usually because the person must await trial or another stage of legal proceedings. It can also refer to sending a case back to a lower court for additional consideration or action. The expression does not itself determine whether the person is guilty or innocent: a remand is commonly a temporary procedural decision rather than a final punishment. In news and courtroom language, “the defendant was remanded to custody” communicates that custody has been imposed or continued while the case proceeds. The related use “the court remanded the case” refers to returning legal proceedings to the court that originally heard them. Remanding is especially common in British, American, and Commonwealth legal systems, though exact procedures vary by jurisdiction.
verbTo send a person back to prison or another place of custody, especially pending trial or after a court decision. In legal contexts, it can also mean to return a case to a lower court for further consideration.
- To send a person back to prison or another place of custody, especially pending trial or while awaiting a hearing.
- To return a legal case to a lower court for further action or reconsideration.
"The judge remanded the defendant to custody pending trial."
"The defendant was remanded to custody after the hearing."
"The appellate court remanded the case to the trial court for a new determination."
In court, remanding is not a punishment itself: it usually means returning someone to custody while the legal process continues.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does remanding come from?
The word comes from the French “remander,” meaning “to order back,” which was borrowed into English legal usage in the 16th century. It ultimately derives from Latin “remittere,” formed from the prefix “re-” and “mittere,” meaning “to send.” The same Latin root underlies words such as “remit,” “remission,” and “mission.”
Related word forms
How remanding is actually used
This is primarily a legal term, especially in British, American, and Commonwealth legal usage. It normally appears in the passive or with an object, as in “be remanded to custody” or “remand the case.”
Easily confused with remanding
A remand sends a person or case back to custody or a lower court, whereas a reprimand is a formal expression of disapproval.