consent decree: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Legal, Academic, Journalistic (in business/politics)
Quick answer
What does “consent decree” mean?
A legal agreement or court order that resolves a dispute, especially one involving a government regulator and a defendant who admits no guilt but agrees to take specific actions and/or cease certain practices.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A legal agreement or court order that resolves a dispute, especially one involving a government regulator and a defendant who admits no guilt but agrees to take specific actions and/or cease certain practices.
A binding settlement, often between a government agency and a private entity, that is entered as a court judgment. It serves as both a contract between the parties and an enforceable court order. In some non-US contexts, the term may refer more broadly to any court-sanctioned agreement between litigants.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originates and is most frequently used in the American legal system. In the UK and Commonwealth jurisdictions, similar instruments exist (e.g., 'Tomlin order' in civil litigation in England and Wales, or an 'undertaking' to the court), but the specific phrase 'consent decree' is less common and may be understood as an Americanism.
Connotations
In the US, it strongly connotes regulatory enforcement (e.g., by the DOJ, FTC, or EPA). In the UK, if used, it would likely be in discussions of US law or international business disputes.
Frequency
High frequency in US legal and business news. Low frequency in everyday UK English; medium frequency in UK legal circles discussing US matters.
Grammar
How to Use “consent decree” in a Sentence
The company entered into a consent decree with the regulator.A consent decree was issued by the court.The parties settled the case via a consent decree.They are operating under a consent decree.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “consent decree” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The parties are seeking to consent to a decree.
- They consented to have the decree entered.
American English
- The company consented to the decree's entry.
- They are moving to consent-decree the case.
adverb
British English
- The case was settled consent-decree.
American English
- The matter was resolved consent-decree.
adjective
British English
- The consent-decree process can be lengthy.
- A consent-decree settlement was proposed.
American English
- The consent-decree negotiations are confidential.
- They filed a consent-decree motion.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The tech giant's business practices will be monitored for five years under the new consent decree.
Academic
The study analysed the efficacy of consent decrees as a tool for institutional reform in civil rights litigation.
Everyday
(Rare) It was like a consent decree—the kids agreed to clean their rooms if we agreed to extend curfew.
Technical
The consent decree, filed pursuant to Rule 23(b)(2), included provisions for injunctive relief and the appointment of a special master.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “consent decree”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “consent decree”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “consent decree”
- Using it to mean any simple agreement (it requires court sanction).
- Pronouncing 'decree' as /ˈdekriː/ (stress is typically on the second syllable: /dɪˈkriː/).
- Confusing it with a 'plea bargain' (which is specifically for criminal cases).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a key feature of most consent decrees is that the defendant does not admit guilt or liability. It is a compromise to resolve the dispute and avoid the cost/risk of a trial.
Typically, parties in a lawsuit, most commonly where one party is a government agency (like the US Department of Justice) and the other is a corporation or institution. Private parties in litigation can also sometimes enter into consent decrees.
Yes, absolutely. Once approved and entered by the court, it has the full force of a court order. Violating its terms can lead to contempt of court sanctions, including fines.
All consent decrees are settlements, but not all settlements are consent decrees. A consent decree is a specific type of settlement that is embodied in a court order and involves ongoing judicial oversight. A simple out-of-court settlement is just a private contract.
A legal agreement or court order that resolves a dispute, especially one involving a government regulator and a defendant who admits no guilt but agrees to take specific actions and/or cease certain practices.
Consent decree is usually formal, legal, academic, journalistic (in business/politics) in register.
Consent decree: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈsent dɪˈkriː/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈsent dəˈkriː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be under a consent decree (meaning to be bound by its restrictions).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CONsent = both parties agree; DECREE = a formal order. It's an AGREED-UPON COURT ORDER.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LEGAL CONTRACT IS A ROADMAP / A COURT ORDER IS A LEASH.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is a 'consent decree' MOST typically used?