special pleading

noun

1. Law.,  pleading that alleges special or new matter in avoidance of the allegations made by the opposite side.

2. pleading or arguing that ignores unfavorable features of a case.

special pleading

noun

1. a pleading that alleges new facts that offset those put forward by the other side rather than directly admitting or denying those facts

2. a pleading that emphasizes the favourable aspects of a case while omitting the unfavourable

Word History and Origins

Origin of special pleading¹

First recorded in 1675–85