judge shop

American  

[juhj shop] / ˈdʒʌdʒ ˌʃɒp /

Or judge-shop

verb (used without object)

Law.

1. to file a lawsuit in a district where the case will be assigned to a judge who is likely to find in your favor.

   The defense argued that the plaintiff had judge shopped by filing in several jurisdictions.

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Etymology

Origin of judge shop

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Because, as we’ve explained in a series of law review articles, the rules for assigning cases there allow plaintiffs to judge shop.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2024