Abstention
/æb'stɛnʃən/
Definitions
- (n.) The act of deliberately choosing not to vote or participate in a decision.
The senator's abstention from voting affected the bill's outcome.
- (n.) A doctrine allowing courts to refuse to rule on a case to avoid interfering with other courts or political questions.
The court applied the doctrine of abstention to dismiss the case.
Forms
- abstentions
Related terms
Commentary
In legal contexts, abstention often denotes a strategic decision by a judge or court to refrain from jurisdiction in deference to another authority or proceeding.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.