judge shopping

American  

[juhj shop-ing] / ˈdʒʌdʒ ˌʃɒp ɪŋ /

Or judge-shopping

noun

Law.

1. the act or practice of filing a lawsuit in a district where the case will be assigned to a judge who is likely to find in your favor.

   The case was transferred to a district with multiple judges to avoid the perception of judge shopping.

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Etymology

Origin of judge shopping

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

After all, the issue of judge shopping was first brought to the Judicial Conference’s attention in a letter, written by Sens. Patrick Leahy and Thom Tillis, specifically about patent cases.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2024

The courts have now formally recognized the need to do something about a really troubling pattern of judge shopping.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2024

At the very least, the Justice Department contended, the judges should consider transferring the cases to Texas divisions with multiple judges to avoid the perception of judge shopping.

From Washington Post • Mar. 19, 2023

“Parler’s judge shopping is evident,” Amazon’s attorneys wrote.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 13, 2021

In what became known as the judge shopping scandal, PG&E was granted the administrative judge of its choosing.

From New York Times • Feb. 23, 2019