Dereliction of Duty

/ˌdɛrɪˈlɪkʃən ʌv ˈdjuːti/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A willful or negligent failure by a public official or employee to perform their duties as required by law or regulation.
    The officer was charged with dereliction of duty for neglecting to respond to the emergency call.

Forms

  • derelictions of duty

Commentary

Dereliction of duty specifically implies a culpable neglect by those holding positions of responsibility, often leading to disciplinary or criminal liability.

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 | Dereliction of Duty Definition