Legal Definitions - trivial

In a legal context, trivial describes something so minor, insignificant, or inconsequential that it is considered unworthy of serious legal attention or action. It refers to matters that have very little importance, value, or impact, often suggesting that the time and resources required to address them legally would be disproportionate to their actual significance.

• Example 1: Minor Property Damage

  Imagine a situation where a delivery driver accidentally nicks a small, barely visible scratch on a homeowner's mailbox post while backing out of the driveway. The repair cost is estimated at $10, and the scratch is hardly noticeable unless closely inspected.

  Explanation: A court would likely consider any legal claim for damages related to this scratch to be trivial. The financial loss is extremely small, the damage is minimal, and pursuing a lawsuit would be an excessive response to such an inconsequential incident.

• Example 2: Insignificant Procedural Error

  During a complex legal filing, a paralegal accidentally omits a single, non-essential comma in a lengthy document. The omission does not change the meaning, clarity, or legal effect of the text, and all other procedural requirements are met.

  Explanation: An opposing party attempting to challenge the filing based solely on this missing comma would likely find their objection dismissed as trivial. The error has no material impact on the document's validity or the legal process, making it an insignificant detail.

• Example 3: Fleeting Personal Annoyance

  A person walking down a busy street is momentarily splashed by a tiny amount of water from a puddle as a car drives by. The water causes no damage to clothing, no injury, and no lasting discomfort, simply a brief, minor annoyance.

  Explanation: Any attempt to sue the driver for negligence or emotional distress based on this incident would be considered trivial. The impact was so minor and fleeting that it falls far below the threshold for what constitutes legally recognizable harm or injury.