kangaroo court

noun

1. a self-appointed or mob-operated tribunal that disregards or parodies existing principles of law or human rights, especially one in a frontier area or among criminals in prison.

2. any crudely or irregularly operated court, especially one so controlled as to render a fair trial impossible.

kangaroo court

noun

1. an irregular court, esp one set up by prisoners in a jail or by strikers to judge strikebreakers

kangaroo court

1. A court that ignores principles of justice; a court characterized by incompetence and dishonesty.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kangaroo court¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Idioms and Phrases

A self-appointed tribunal that violates established legal procedure; also, a dishonest or incompetent court of law. For example, The rebels set up a kangaroo court and condemned the prisoners to summary execution, or That judge runs a kangaroo court—he tells rape victims they should have been more careful. This expression is thought to liken the jumping ability of kangaroos to a court that jumps to conclusions on an invalid basis. [Mid-1800s]