Legal Definitions - disqualification

Definition: Something that makes one ineligible; especially, a bias or conflict of interest that prevents a judge or juror from impartially hearing a case, or that prevents a lawyer from representing a party.

Example: If a judge has a personal relationship with one of the parties involved in a case, they may be disqualified from hearing the case to ensure impartiality.

Explanation: This example illustrates how a bias or conflict of interest can lead to disqualification. In this case, the judge's personal relationship with one of the parties could influence their decision-making, so they are disqualified from hearing the case to ensure fairness.

Related term: Recusal