expression, godan verb (-u)
abide by the verdict; comply with the court's decision
Formal legal expression used when a party accepts and follows a court ruling.
被告は判決に従い、賠償金を支払った。
The defendant abided by the verdict and paid the compensation.
General verb meaning 'to follow' or 'to obey'; 判決に従う is a specific legal collocation.
Compound of 判決 (court decision) + に (particle) + 従う (to follow). The phrase is transparently derived from its components.