Legal Definitions - resort

In legal contexts, a resort refers to a source of aid, a course of action, or an authority that someone turns to, especially when other options have been exhausted or are unavailable. It signifies seeking assistance, a solution, or refuge from a particular entity, method, or process.

• Example 1: When a small business owner encounters a complex tax problem that their regular accountant cannot solve, their primary resort might be to consult with a specialized tax attorney who has expertise in intricate tax law.

  Explanation: Here, the specialized tax attorney is the source of aid and expertise that the business owner turns to for help with their complex tax issue, after their initial options proved insufficient.

• Example 2: A rental agreement between a landlord and a tenant might specify that in the event of a dispute over property damage, non-binding arbitration is the first resort for resolution before either party can file a lawsuit.

  Explanation: In this scenario, non-binding arbitration is the agreed-upon method or course of action that the parties must turn to first for aid in resolving their conflict, serving as an initial step before more formal legal proceedings.

• Example 3: After a government agency denied a citizen's application for a specific permit, and their internal appeals were unsuccessful, their only remaining resort to challenge the decision was to file a petition with the administrative court.

  Explanation: The administrative court represents the final authority or source of aid the citizen could turn to for refuge and a potential solution after all other administrative options for challenging the permit denial had been tried and failed.