Western Governors University (WGU) ACCT3350 D216 Business Law for Accountants Practice Exam

A per curiam opinion is characterized by being issued in the name of the Court as a whole rather than being attributed to a specific judge or group of judges. This is why it is often considered "unsigned." The nature of a per curiam decision tends to suggest a collective voice of the court, particularly when consensus is reached on straightforward legal issues.

In contrast to other types of opinions, such as those authored by an individual justice that might carry more detailed reasoning or signatures, the per curiam opinion allows the court to convey its judgment succinctly without getting into extensive debate or indvidual attribution. While there are instances where unanimous decisions are reflected through per curiam opinions, it is not a defining characteristic, as such opinions can also be issued in cases where not all justices agree but do share a brief consensus on the outcome.

The notion that it is issued only in controversial cases does not hold true; per curiam opinions can arise in various contexts, often for less contentious matters where the law is clear and does not require extensive exposition.