Abstention Doctrine
/ˌæbˈstɛnʃən ˈdɒktrɪn/
Definitions
- (n.) A judicially created principle whereby a court may decline to exercise its jurisdiction when another court or agency is better positioned to address the issue.
The federal court applied the abstention doctrine to defer to the state court's resolution of the matter.
Forms
- abstention doctrine
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Abstention doctrines often reflect federalism concerns and promote judicial efficiency by avoiding duplicative or conflicting proceedings.
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.