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conscience of the court

conscience of the court definition - legal

n

A trial courtÂ’s equitable power to resolve a dispute by applying the communityÂ’s (but not the judgeÂ’s personal) notions of decency, fairness, and justice.
shocks the conscience of the court
Phrase used when a trial judge determines that a jury or the parties to an action acted beyond certain limits of decency and fairness. Such a determination will be grounds for invalidating an award or verdict of the jury or a contract or other act of the parties.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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