parens patriae

parens patriae definition - legal

n

Latin

Parent of his or her country. The state, in its role of provider of protection to people unable to care for themselves; a doctrine giving the government standing to sue on behalf of a citizen who is unable to pursue an action due to a legal disability.

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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