What does 'en banc' review refer to?

The term 'en banc' refers to a situation in which a case is heard by all the judges of a court rather than a smaller panel. This procedure is typically used in appellate courts when a significant legal question or a matter of considerable importance or complexity arises, necessitating a full court's review to ensure consistency and uniformity in judicial decisions. The full bench hearing provides a more comprehensive discussion among judges and can be crucial for setting precedents or clarifying legal interpretations. This is particularly pertinent in cases where lower court rulings may be conflicting or where there is a need for specific guidance from the highest judicial authority within a given jurisdiction.

In contrast, hearing a case before a smaller panel often involves a select number of judges and does not allow for the broader input that can be achieved in an en banc session. Additionally, the other choices involve processes that do not accurately describe the nature of en banc review, such as being conducted by a single judge or outside of the court.