special plea: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical (Legal)
Quick answer
What does “special plea” mean?
A legal defense that admits the facts of the opposing party's claim but introduces new facts to avoid liability, or a particularly detailed, emotional, or self-serving appeal.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A legal defense that admits the facts of the opposing party's claim but introduces new facts to avoid liability, or a particularly detailed, emotional, or self-serving appeal.
In law, a formal answer to a legal action that sets out specific facts (like an alibi) that defeat the claim without denying its basic allegations. In general usage, an earnest, detailed, or unconventional argument made in one's own defense or in support of a specific request.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The legal meaning is identical in both jurisdictions, though specific procedural rules may differ. The figurative use is more common in American English, often in political or journalistic commentary.
Connotations
UK: Primarily legal; figurative use is less frequent and often implies an unconvincing excuse. US: Figurative use is strong, frequently used in politics/media ('he entered a special plea for leniency').
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech. More frequent in written legal documents and formal commentary. The figurative sense appears more in US media.
Grammar
How to Use “special plea” in a Sentence
to enter/file a special plea [of alibi]to make a special plea [for clemency]to reject/deny a special pleaa special plea [that...]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'The contractor entered a special plea citing force majeure due to the port strikes.'
Academic
Used in legal studies and political science. 'The dissertation examines the use of special pleas in 19th-century common law.'
Everyday
Very rare. Figurative use possible: 'His special plea about traffic didn't convince his teacher.'
Technical
Core usage in law. 'The defendant's counsel filed a special plea of autrefois acquit.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “special plea”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “special plea”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “special plea”
- Using it as a synonym for any passionate request (too broad).
- Confusing it with a 'plea bargain' (which is a negotiation for a guilty plea).
- Misspelling as 'special please'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A standard 'not guilty' plea is a general denial. A special plea accepts the opponent's facts are true but argues there is a separate, specific legal reason (like a prior settlement or expiry of time limit) why the case should not proceed.
It's very formal. In everyday talk, people might say 'special appeal', 'detailed excuse', or 'particular argument' instead. Using 'special plea' outside law can sound deliberately formal or ironic.
A plea of 'autrefois acquit' or 'autrefois convict' (formerly acquitted/convicted), which is a plea that the defendant has already been tried for the same offence.
Not necessarily. It often implies the speaker finds the plea overly elaborate, self-serving, or unconvincing. E.g., 'The CEO's special plea about market conditions didn't satisfy the angry shareholders.'
A legal defense that admits the facts of the opposing party's claim but introduces new facts to avoid liability, or a particularly detailed, emotional, or self-serving appeal.
Special plea is usually formal, technical (legal) in register.
Special plea: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspeʃ.əl pliː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspeʃ.əl pliː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SPECIAL (specific, unusual) PLEA (request/defense). It's not a general 'no' – it's a special set of facts you 'plead' to get out of trouble.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE LAW IS A GAME OF CHESS (making a special, tactical move instead of a direct confrontation).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'special plea' MOST likely to be used with its precise, technical meaning?