Petition Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Petition.

Petition (noun)

A formal written request, often signed by many people, appealing to authority (like a court or government) due to a specific cause. This is typically used to ask for a favor, a right, or to take action against wrongdoing. For example, you might petition a court to review a criminal case or request a city council to build a new park.