An
advisory opinion is an opinion issued by a
court or a commission like an
election commission that does not have the effect of adjudicating a specific
legal case, but merely advises on the constitutionality or interpretation of a law. Some countries have procedures by which the
executive or
legislative branches may certify important questions to the
judiciary and obtain an advisory opinion. In other countries or specific jurisdictions, courts may be prohibited from issuing advisory opinions.