Sanction Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Sanction.

Sanction (noun)

1. A penalty or punishment that is put in place by a judge or court. This is usually due to a violation of court orders or rules. For example, if someone repeatedly disrupts court proceedings, a sanction may be imposed.

2. An authoritative permission or approval that makes a course of action valid. For example, an international sanction could be imposed to allow an action that would otherwise have been illegal.

When factors like disrupting court proceedings happen, sanctions help maintain order and respect for the legal system.