Pretext

/ˈpriːtɛkst/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A fabricated reason given to conceal the true purpose or motivation, especially to justify unlawful or discriminatory conduct.
    The employer's stated reason for firing him was a pretext for discrimination.

Commentary

In legal drafting, pinpointing a 'pretext' often involves demonstrating that the stated reason is not the true reason, frequently in employment or discrimination claims.

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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