State Secrets
/ˈsteɪt ˈsiːkrɪts/
Definitions
- (n.) Information held by a government that is kept confidential for national security reasons and protected from public disclosure.
The court refused to hear the case due to the invocation of state secrets privilege.
- (n.) A legal doctrine allowing the government to withhold information in litigation if disclosure would harm national security.
The defense argued that the evidence was inadmissible under the state secrets doctrine.
Forms
- state secrets
- state secret
Related terms
See also
Commentary
The term encompasses both the type of information and the related legal doctrine; context determines usage. When drafting, it is vital to distinguish between the noun meaning the information itself and the legal privilege that protects it.
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.