ban

Definition

A legal sledgehammer that forbids something entirely—the ultimate 'no you may not' backed by government authority. More absolute than a prohibition, less forgiving than a mere suggestion.

Example Usage

The court issued a ban on the defendant's contact with the plaintiff.

Source: Merriam-Webster via Free Dictionary API

Related Terms

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forum shopping

The practice of filing a lawsuit in the jurisdiction most favorable to one's case, essentially legal venue selection based on strategic advantage. The litigation version of choosing a restaurant because you know the owner.

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interlocutory appeal

An appeal filed during the case rather than waiting for a final judgment, like pausing a movie to argue about whether the protagonist should have taken that left turn. Usually requires special permission.

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alluvial

The sedimentary gift left behind by rivers—layers of soil and rock deposited over time that either hold valuable minerals or become someone's environmental headache. It's geological real estate shaped by flowing water's patient artistry.

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Plea Deal

An agreement where a defendant pleads guilty in exchange for reduced charges or a lighter sentence. Negotiated justice at its finest.

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constitutional

A legal term that means something complies with the rules laid down by the constitution, or ironically, a leisurely walk to improve health—because apparently the Founding Fathers needed cardio breaks too. When politicians use it, they're basically invoking a legal safety blanket.

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Writ

A formal written order issued by a court, because apparently judges cannot just send a text message that says "do the thing." The most dramatic way to deliver instructions since Moses came down from the mountain.

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