Plea In Abatement Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Plea In Abatement.

Plea In Abatement (noun): A legal response by a defendant in which they do not dispute the plaintiff's claim itself, but instead challenge the circumstances of the claim, such as its form, timing, place, or jurisdiction. This type of plea, sometimes referred to as a dilatory plea, does not typically end a legal case, but can change the court's evaluation of the case. If a judge finds a defendant guilty after a Plea In Abatement, the plaintiff can usually refile the lawsuit in a corrected form, time, or place.