Collateral Attack

/ˈkɒlətrəl əˈtæk/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A challenge to a court's jurisdiction or ruling made outside the direct appeal process, often in a separate proceeding.
    The defendant filed a collateral attack arguing that the trial court lacked jurisdiction.

Forms

  • collateral attack

Commentary

Collateral attacks are typically raised in post-conviction or enforcement proceedings rather than on direct appeal, targeting the validity of the original judgment or the court's authority.

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.

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Amicus Docs | Collateral Attack Definition