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

Even the perception of judge shopping, the federal government argued, could erode public trust in the justice system.

From Washington Post • Mar. 19, 2023

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

From Seattle Times • Apr. 13, 2021

Some legal experts have questioned the ability of lawyers to get judges thrown off cases, saying that it amounts to judge shopping.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2019

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