public examinationnoun
ukusUK[ C ] FINANCE, LAW a formal occasion when a bankrupt company or person is asked questions by officials representing the people who are owed money:
All parties who attend a public examination, including the bankrupt, may employ legal representation.
[ C or U ] GOVERNMENT a formal occasion when a government minister is asked about their plans or actions by officials, or the act of asking ministers about their plans or actions:
The executive decided against a public examination, saying ministers already had all the information they needed.