cab rank rule

British

noun

the rule that obliges barristers to take on any client in strict rotation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cab rank rule

C20: from the idea of a queue of taxis, each taking the first customer who comes along

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a statement, Mr Vineall said: "The cab rank rule prevents barristers from refusing work because they disagree with the actions or views of those seeking their services."

From BBC

They now face the prospect of disciplinary action for breaching professional regulations such as the so-called 'cab rank rule', which requires lawyers to take on any case within their competence.

From BBC

The QC also gave an insight into the legal process and explained advocates are allocated clients and instructed by solicitors using the "cab rank rule".

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023