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Justification - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition justification

Definition :

Justification, a maintaining or showing a sufficient reason in court why the defendant did what he is called upon to answer, particularly in an action of libel; a defence of justification is a defence showing the libel to be true, or in an action of assault showing the violence to have been necessary.

If in a libel action a defendant pleads justification he must give particulars of the matters upon which he intends to rely in support of his plea (see (English) R.S.C., Order XXXVI., r. 37); but it is otherwise if the plea is only one of fair comment, Digby v. Financial News, Ltd., (1907) 1 KB 502. Consult Odgers on Libel.

Means (1) A lawful or sufficient reason for one's acts or omissions (2) A showing, in court, of a sufficient reason why a defendant did what the plaintiff or prosecution charges the defendant to answer for. Also termed justification defense; necessity defense (3) A surety's proof of having enough money or credit to provide security for the party for whom it is required. Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 870.

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