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Simple English definitions for legal terms
suspend
Read a random definition: praeceptio haereditatis
A quick definition of suspend:
Suspend means to stop something temporarily or delay it. For example, if a fire alarm goes off during a trial, the trial may be suspended until the alarm stops. It can also mean to prevent someone from doing their job or using their rights for a period of time. For instance, if a lawyer breaks the rules, their license to practice law may be suspended. In parliamentary law, suspending the rules means passing a motion that allows the group to take an action that would otherwise be blocked by the rules for a limited time and purpose.
A more thorough explanation:
suspend, verb
- To interrupt, postpone, or defer something.
- Example: The fire alarm suspended the prosecutor's opening statement.
- To temporarily prevent a person from performing a function, holding a job, or exercising a right or privilege.
- Example: The attorney's law license was suspended for violating the Model Rules of Professional Conduct.
In parliamentary law, to pass a motion that overrides an agenda or other procedural rule, for a limited time and purpose, so that the deliberative assembly may take some otherwise obstructed action.
Example: When a body wishes to do something that cannot be done without violating its own rules, but yet that is not in conflict with the constitution or with any controlling statutory provision, it ‘suspends the rules that interfere with’ the proposed action.
Explanation: The term "suspend" can be used in different contexts. It can mean to delay or put on hold something, like a prosecutor's opening statement due to a fire alarm. It can also mean to temporarily prevent someone from doing something, like an attorney whose law license was suspended for violating professional conduct rules. In parliamentary law, "suspend" means to pass a motion that overrides a rule for a limited time and purpose, so that the assembly can take some action that would otherwise be obstructed by the rule.