dilatory tactics

Dilatory tactics are when a party to a lawsuit abuses the rules of procedure in order to delay the progress of legal proceedings.

For example, a party to a lawsuit will delay the legal process by filing a motion, which the court will need to stop the lawsuit to review. If a party is determined to be using dilatory tactics, the party may be put in contempt of court.

[Last reviewed in September of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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