contempt of court

plural contempts of court

1. uncountableusuallylawOpen disrespect for or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body, typically punishable by such sanctions as a fine or incarceration.

   The Attorney General applied for an order for contempt of court against the New Statesman.

   2007, Helen Fenwick, Civil Liberties and Human Rights, page 405

   3 more examples

   [T]hey never could see the Missionaries dispose of their legs in the attitude of kneeling, or hear them begin a hymn in chorus, without bursting into roars of irrepressible laughter. It is much to be hoped that no member of this facetious tribe may ever find his way to England and get committed for contempt of Court.

   1869, Charles Dickens, chapter 28, in The Uncommercial Traveller

   If a researcher refused, a contempt of court order might result in incarceration of the researcher (see Hagan 1984).

   1994, Brian Burtch, Trials of Labour: The Re-emergence of Midwifery, page 27

   On the same day, Judge Walsh issued a contempt of court decree against Chair Peter McDonald and the Navajo tribal government for having failed to comply with his order to reduce Dine livestock in the JUA.

   1996, Ward Churchill, From a Native Son: Selected Essays in Indigenism, 1985-1995

2. countableusuallylawA particular act of open disrespect for or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law.

   When defendant committed the contempts of court at issue here, he was not at the time incarcerated in a penal or reformatory institution and he was not an escapee.

   2012 December 18, “People v. Veilleux”, in Supreme Court of Michigan, retrieved 16 Apr 2014

   2 more examples

   For my part, I am quite satisfied that there may also be consecutive or successive contempts of court constituted by repeated omissions to comply with a mandatory order positively to do something.

   2011 August 17, Lord Justice Hughes, “In the matter of W (a Child)”, in England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division) Decisions, retrieved 16 Apr 2014

   A commences a court proceeding against B seeking damages. The court finds that A knew or ought to have known that the commencement of the claim is manifestly groundless and that A had initiated the proceeding for the ulterior purpose of vexing or oppressing B. A’s commencement of the proceeding against B constitutes a contempt of court.

   2024, Parliament of Singapore, “Administration of Justice (Protection) (Amendment) Act 2024”, in Republic of Singapore Government Gazette, page 3

3. countableusuallylawA court order which, in the context of a court trial or hearing, declares a person or organization to have disobeyed or been disrespectful of the court's authority.

   Certain reports have appeared in the media that the Hon’ble Delhi High Court has issued a contempt of Court against the Chief of Army Staff.

   2010 July 6, “Press Releases: Ministry of Defence”, in Press Information Bureau—Government of India, retrieved 16 Apr 2014

   1 more example

   There have been unconfirmed reports that the Lahore High Court has issued a contempt of court to the telecom companies for charging higher rates to international incoming callers.

   2013 February 19, “Stocks falter on profit-taking in telecoms”, in Karachi Stock Exchange—Daily Market Trend, retrieved 16 Apr 2014