without recourse

Without recourse is a phrase meaning that one party has no legal claim against another party. It is often used in two contexts:

• In litigation , someone without recourse against another party cannot file a lawsuit (sue) that party, or at least cannot obtain adequate relief even if a lawsuit moves forward. Someone completely without recourse cannot sue anyone for an alleged injury , or cannot obtain any relief even if lawsuits are filed.
• In financial transactions , without recourse disclaims any liability to the subsequent holder of a financial instrument . Thus, endorsing a check and adding without recourse to the signature means that the endorser takes no responsibility if the check bounces for insufficient funds.

[Last reviewed in July of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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