Trade-Off

/ˈtreɪdˌɔf/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A situation involving a balance between two conflicting legal interests or policies where gaining one may result in losing another.
    The court recognized a trade-off between individual privacy and national security interests.

Forms

  • trade-offs

Commentary

In legal contexts, a trade-off often arises in constitutional and administrative law when courts must balance competing rights or policy goals.

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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