nonsuit
Definition
Noun:
- Legal term: A "nonsuit" is a judgment entered against a plaintiff who fails to proceed with their case or fails to provide sufficient evidence, resulting in the dismissal of the lawsuit without a final decision on the merits.
Verb:
- To dismiss a case: To enter a judgment of nonsuit against a plaintiff, thereby terminating the lawsuit due to procedural or evidentiary deficiencies.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The judge granted a nonsuit after the plaintiff failed to appear in court. (A legal dismissal of the case.)
- The nonsuit was entered because the evidence was insufficient to support the claim. (The case was dismissed without a full trial.)
Verb:
- The court decided to nonsuit the plaintiff due to lack of prosecution. (The judge dismissed the case.)
- The defendant's lawyer moved to nonsuit the case for failure to state a claim. (The lawyer asked for the case to be dismissed.)
Advanced Usage
"to suffer a nonsuit": to have one's case dismissed by the court.
- The plaintiff suffered a nonsuit after missing the filing deadline. (The case was dismissed as a penalty for delay.)
"voluntary nonsuit": a dismissal requested by the plaintiff themselves, often to refile later.
- The attorney filed for a voluntary nonsuit to gather more evidence. (The plaintiff chose to end the case temporarily.)
Variants and Related Words
- Nonsuit (adj, rare): relating to or characteristic of a nonsuit.
- The nonsuit order was entered into the record. (The document concerning the dismissal.)
Synonyms
- Dismissal: the act of ending a lawsuit without a final judgment.
- Abatement: a suspension or termination of legal proceedings.
- Discontinuance: the cessation of a lawsuit by the plaintiff.
Phrasal Verbs
- (No common phrasal verbs exist for "nonsuit" as it is a legal term.)
Related Idioms
- To be nonsuited: to have one's case dismissed.
- The plaintiff was nonsuited for failing to comply with court orders. (The case was terminated due to noncompliance.)