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]

Example Sentences

In her first interview with the BBC since she fled the country on 5 August 2024, she said her trial in absentia was a "farce" orchestrated by a "kangaroo court" controlled by political opponents.

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"He finished his sentence for God's sake. It was an unfair sentence rendered by a kangaroo court," his mother says.

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Compensation for sub-postmasters is not being decided by a "kangaroo court", the body overseeing the payouts has said, pushing back against allegations made by Sir Alan Bates.

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The court was urged to take into consideration that Mr McGregor had posted a series of social media posts after the verdict, in which he described the court as a "kangaroo court".

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But Brig Kulayigye said the court martial "is not a kangaroo court".

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