Also known as:safeguards · safeguarded · safeguarding · protection · constitutional safeguard
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
To take a protective action or measure to prevent harm or loss to persons or property. The action requires identification and separation of the protected item from other risks or interests.
Sources & Authorities
How it applies
Common Examples
6
State Residency Rule Challenged
Scott Summers moved to a new state and applied for welfare benefits. The state imposed a one-year waiting period before full eligibility. The court examined whether the residency rule safeguarded the equal protection rights of new residents under the constitutional provision.
Discovery of Attorney Notes
Spencer Silver sought production of opposing counsel's work-product materials in litigation. The court ordered limited disclosure but required the parties to safeguard the mental impressions and legal theories contained in those documents.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Cases
Statutes
Federal Rules
Uniform Acts
Model Codes
Serena Soto's litigation team accidentally produced privileged emails during discovery. The receiving party was notified and directed to safeguard the materials by returning or sequestering them until the court resolved the claim.
Client Funds in Trust Account
Selena Singh received settlement proceeds belonging to her client. She deposited the funds into a separate trust account and maintained complete records to safeguard the property from commingling with her own assets.
Factory Safety Measures
Stella Shapiro operated a manufacturing plant where workers faced machinery hazards. The company installed guards and training protocols that fell below the legal standard for safeguarding employees against unreasonable risk of harm.
Jury Selection Challenge
Sasha Stone, a criminal defendant, objected when the prosecutor struck jurors of one race. The court required the prosecutor to provide race-neutral reasons to safeguard against purposeful discrimination in the exercise of peremptory challenges.
Common questions
Frequently Asked
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How does the duty to safeguard client property differ from ordinary care?+
The duty requires lawyers to keep client funds in a separate trust account and maintain complete records for five years after representation ends. This obligation is stricter than general negligence standards because it demands affirmative separation and identification of the property.
Supporting sources
What happens if a party fails to safeguard work-product materials after a court order?+
The court may impose sanctions or further protective orders. The rule requires protection against disclosure of mental impressions and legal theories even when discovery of underlying materials is permitted.
Supporting sources
Does the equal protection guarantee safeguard against all forms of discrimination?+
It prohibits state laws that abridge privileges or immunities or deny equal protection on the basis of race or other suspect classifications. The clause applies only to state action and requires strict scrutiny for racial classifications.
Supporting sources
When must a party take steps to safeguard inadvertently disclosed privileged information?+
The holder must promptly notify the receiving party and take reasonable steps to retrieve the information. Failure to do so may result in waiver of the protection.
Supporting sources
5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803)Property
…violated do the laws afford him a remedy? The essence of civil liberty consists in the right of every individual to claim the protection of the laws whenever he receives an injury. It is a general rule that where there is a legal right there is also a legal remedy by suit or action at law. The government of the United States…