Public Nuisance

/ˈpʌblɪk ˈnjuːsəns/

Definitions

  1. (n.) An act or condition that unlawfully interferes with the public's rights, health, safety, peace, or convenience.
    The factory's toxic emissions were declared a public nuisance by the court.
  2. (n.) A civil wrong or tort involving interference with a right common to the general public, allowing government or affected individuals to bring a lawsuit.
    Residents sued the municipality for public nuisance due to the persistent foul odors from the landfill.

Forms

  • public nuisances

Commentary

Public nuisance addresses interference with community-wide rights and typically permits government action, differing from private nuisance which protects individual interests.

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.

Draft confidently with Amicus

Create, negotiate, and sign agreements in one secure workspace—invite collaborators, track revisions, and keep audit-ready records automatically.

Open the Amicus app