What is meant by "en banc" in court proceedings?

The term "en banc" refers to a situation in legal proceedings where a case is heard before all the judges of a court, rather than by a panel of judges or a single judge. This practice is often utilized in appellate courts to ensure that a significant or complex matter receives thorough consideration, reflecting the collective judgment of the court's full bench.

Conducting cases en banc allows for a more comprehensive analysis, as it brings together the perspectives and expertise of all judges, potentially leading to a more unified rulings. This approach is particularly important in cases that may involve conflicting decisions by different panels or when the legal questions at hand have wide-reaching implications.

The other options do not align with this definition. For instance, a trial conducted without a jury refers to a bench trial, while a preliminary hearing suggests a pre-trial process involving a single judge. Likewise, a ruling made by a higher court typically describes the appellate process without indicating the involvement of all judges in a lower court. Hence, the understanding of "en banc" specifically highlights the collective and comprehensive nature of judicial review in certain cases.