Definition

1. Verb:
   • To disqualify oneself from a legal proceeding due to a conflict of interest or potential bias: In law, to "recuse" means for a judge, juror, or other official to formally remove themselves from a case because their involvement could be seen as unfair or partial.
   • To reject or challenge a judge's participation: In canonical and civil law, it can also mean to formally object to a judge's involvement in a case on grounds of prejudice or personal interest.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The judge decided to recuse herself from the trial because the defendant was a close personal friend.
  • The attorney filed a motion to recuse the presiding judge, citing a financial conflict of interest.

Advanced Usage

• "To recuse oneself": This is the most common construction, emphasizing the voluntary act of self-disqualification.
  • The council member recused himself from the vote on the zoning law, as he owned property in the affected area.

Variants and Related Words

• Recusal (n): The act of recusing oneself or the state of being recused.
  • The judge's recusal was necessary to ensure a fair trial.

Synonyms

• Disqualify: To make someone ineligible, often used in a broader context.
• Step aside: A more informal phrase for withdrawing from a position of judgment.
• Withdraw: To remove oneself from participation.

Antonyms

• Preside: To occupy the place of authority, especially as a judge.
• Adjudicate: To make a formal judgment or decision about a problem or dispute.

Verb

1. challenge or except to a judge as being incompetent or interested, in canon and civil law
2. disqualify oneself (as a judge) in a particular case