Also known as:challenges · challenged · challenging · contest · dispute
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A formal objection or dispute raised in legal proceedings to question the validity, qualification, or propriety of a claim, person, action, or thing. The objection triggers a judicial or procedural determination of whether the challenged item meets applicable legal standards.
Sources & Authorities· 40 primary sources
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Cases
Statutes
Federal Rules
Uniform Acts
Model Codes
How it applies
Common Examples
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Summary Judgment Motion Filed
Canyon Construction sued Compass Logistics for breach of a supply contract. After discovery closed, Canyon moved to resolve the entire claim by showing that Compass had no admissible evidence creating a factual dispute on any element. The court reviewed the record and granted the motion, entering judgment for Canyon as a matter of law.
Peremptory Strikes Exercised
In a federal felony trial, the government used six peremptory strikes against prospective jurors while the defendant used ten. The court allowed the strikes after confirming they complied with the numerical limits for offenses punishable by more than one year of imprisonment.
Derivative Suit Determination Contested
Shareholders of Cascade Manufacturing filed a derivative action alleging director misconduct. A board committee of qualified directors determined that continuing the suit was not in the corporation's best interests. The plaintiffs responded by alleging particular facts showing the committee failed to meet independence requirements.
Judicial Recusal Sought
Cameron Cruz appeared before a judge who had previously represented the opposing party in a related matter and possessed personal knowledge of disputed facts. Cruz moved for disqualification, citing the judge's bias and knowledge as grounds requiring recusal.
Disputed Funds Held in Trust
Crown Pharmaceuticals received settlement proceeds in which both the client and a third-party lienholder claimed interests. The lawyer placed the entire amount in a trust account and refused distribution until the competing claims were resolved through negotiation or court order.
Preexisting Duty Performance Offered
Cecilia Cabrera promised her employee an additional bonus for completing tasks already required under the existing employment contract. When the employee later sought enforcement, the court held that performance of the preexisting legal duty supplied no consideration for the new promise.
Common questions
Frequently Asked
6
What must a movant show to prevail on a motion that challenges claims under the summary judgment rule?+
The movant must identify the claims or defenses at issue and demonstrate the absence of any genuine dispute of material fact while establishing entitlement to judgment as a matter of law. The court then grants the motion if those requirements are met and states its reasons on the record.
Supporting sources
How many peremptory challenges does each side receive when challenging prospective jurors in a noncapital felony case?+
The government receives six peremptory challenges while the defendant or defendants jointly receive ten. These limits apply when the offense is punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year.
What must a plaintiff allege to contest a board determination that a derivative proceeding should not continue?+
The plaintiff must allege with particularity facts establishing that the requirements for maintaining the derivative proceeding have not been met. This shifts the burden and allows judicial review of the board's decision.
Supporting sources
When must a judge disqualify herself based on a challenge alleging personal bias?+
Disqualification is required when the judge has a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party or lawyer or possesses personal knowledge of disputed facts in the proceeding. The rule ensures impartiality whenever such circumstances exist.
Supporting sources
How must a lawyer handle property subject to competing claims from multiple parties?+
The lawyer must keep the property separate until the dispute is resolved and promptly distribute any portions as to which interests are undisputed. This protects all claimants while the conflict remains pending.
Supporting sources
Does performance of a preexisting legal duty constitute consideration for a new promise?+
Performance of a legal duty owed to the promisor that is neither doubtful nor honestly disputed supplies no consideration. A similar performance qualifies only if it differs from the duty in a manner reflecting more than a pretense of bargain.
Supporting sources
.[^maj-7] In more recent cases, all on the graduate school level, inequality was found in that specific benefits enjoyed by white students were denied to Negro students of the same…
on the ground that, while the
challenged
government action caused economic harm, it did not interfere with interests that were sufficiently bound up with the reasonable expectations of the…
to the power of the State—the right of its courts to adjudicate at all as against those beneficiaries who reside without the State of New York. It is contended that the proceeding is one…
based on the claim that the
dispute
was a nonjusticiable intra-executive conflict and rejected the contention that the Judiciary lacked authority to review an assertion of executive…
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