Word: Cy Pres
Part of Speech: Noun
Basic Definition: "Cy pres" is a legal term that refers to a rule used when it is not possible to follow the exact wishes of someone who has given money or property (like a donor or a person who made a will). Instead, the goal is to carry out their intentions as closely as possible.
Usage Instructions:
"Cy pres" is often used in legal contexts, especially in cases involving trusts, charities, or wills.
It is usually used when discussing how to use funds or property that cannot be used in the exact way the donor intended.
Example:
If a donor wanted to give money to build a library in a specific town, but that town no longer exists, the court might use "cy pres" to allow the funds to be used to build a library in a nearby town instead, following the donor's intention of supporting education.
Advanced Usage:
Lawyers often argue for "cy pres" applications in court to ensure that charitable donations are used effectively, even when the original purpose cannot be fulfilled.
In some jurisdictions, "cy pres" is also a doctrine used in class action lawsuits to distribute unclaimed funds.
Word Variants:
There are no direct variants of "cy pres" because it is a specific legal term. However, it is often used in conjunction with other legal terms like "trust," "donor," and "intention."
Different Meanings:
Synonyms:
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
Summary:
"Cy pres" is a specialized term used in law to ensure that when a donor's original wishes cannot be met, their intentions are respected as closely as possible.