special defence

noun

Any of various defences (such as mental disorder or coercion) that may be raised in criminal proceedings upon notice by the accused ahead of the trial, and which if established will result in an acquittal.

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Meanings

nounspecial defence (plural special defences)

plural special defences

  1. Scots lawAny of various defences (such as mental disorder or coercion) that may be raised in criminal proceedings upon notice by the accused ahead of the trial, and which if established will result in an acquittal.
Cite this entry
APA

special defence. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/special%20defence

MLA

“special defence.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/special%20defence. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “special defence,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/special%20defence.

Source: special defence on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.