frivolous lawsuit

Definition

A legal claim so baseless and ridiculous that it has no chance of succeeding, often filed to harass or extort. Think suing McDonald's because their coffee is hot, except without the actual severe burns that made that case legitimate.

Example Usage

The judge dismissed the frivolous lawsuit and sanctioned the attorney for wasting the court's time with claims that gravity was a violation of his client's civil rights.

Origin

From Latin 'frivolus,' meaning 'silly' or 'trifling,' applied to legal cases since the 18th century

Fun Fact

Lawyers who repeatedly file frivolous lawsuits can be sanctioned, fined, or even disbarred, though determining what's truly frivolous versus just a long shot can be surprisingly difficult.

Source: Common legal terminology

Related Terms

Beginner

Non-Disclosure Agreement

A contract that says you cannot tell anyone about the thing you now desperately want to tell everyone about. The legal system's way of making sure gossip has consequences.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

adverse

When something is working against you rather than for you—basically the legal profession's favorite adjective for 'bad news.' It's the term lawyers slap on everything from hostile witnesses to unfavorable rulings to that party across the courtroom trying to take your money. Think of it as the formal way to say 'the opposition' without sounding too WWE.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

impediment

The legal or logistical obstacle standing between you and what you want to accomplish, whether it's a speech disability or bureaucratic red tape. In employment law, it often refers to barriers that prevent someone from performing job functions. It's the formal way of saying 'this thing is making everything harder,' commonly used when someone wants to sound more sophisticated than 'problem.'

⚖️ Legal

Advanced

acquiescence

Passive acceptance or silent agreement to something, often implying you're not thrilled about it but won't actively oppose it either. In legal terms, it's when your failure to object or take action implies you've abandoned your rights. Think of it as the legal equivalent of shrugging and moving on—except it can cost you your claim later.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

memorandum of understanding

A document outlining an agreement between parties that may or may not be legally binding, depending on who you ask and how expensive their lawyer is. It's the legal equivalent of a pinky promise, with slightly more formality.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

Precedent

A previous court decision that future judges use to make their decisions, because apparently the legal system works like a game of "well, someone did it this way before." It is basically legal copy-paste.

⚖️ Legal

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