In certain cases, does the court explicitly discuss the underlying issue?

The correct answer indicates that there are indeed instances where a court explicitly discusses the underlying issue in a case. This highlights an essential aspect of judicial decision-making: courts often aim to clarify the reasoning behind their rulings by discussing the relevant legal principles and factual contexts. This explicit discussion serves multiple purposes, including informing the parties involved of the court's thought process, providing guidance for future cases, and contributing to the development of case law.

In various circumstances, especially in matters of significant legal interpretation or where precedent plays a crucial role, the court may take the time to delve into the underlying issues that inform their decisions. This practice not only enhances transparency but also fosters public confidence in the judicial system by ensuring that the rationale behind decisions is accessible and understandable.

The other options address different situations that don't necessarily reflect the standard practice of courts discussing underlying issues. For instance, stating that the court rarely discusses the underlying issue would undermine the importance of legal exposition in court opinions, while limiting the discussion to appellate cases neglects the significant number of first-instance judgments that do thoroughly address key issues.