Cassation

Cassation (from the Latin "cassare", meaning to annul or make void) refers to the act of annulling or quashing a judgment, decree, or verdict by a higher court. This legal process is often undertaken when serious errors of law, procedural irregularities, or violations of fundamental rights are found to have occurred during the proceedings of a lower court. The aim of cassation is to correct judicial mistakes and ensure the fair administration of justice by overturning the lower court's decision and, sometimes, remanding the case for a new trial.

Cassation meaning with examples

• Following a lengthy appeals process, the Supreme Court announced the cassation of the lower court's conviction due to a misinterpretation of the evidence. The ruling was a significant victory for the defense and has now set a new legal precedent.
• The lawyers argued tirelessly for cassation of the original sentence, highlighting several instances where the judge failed to correctly apply the relevant statutes. The new trial brought a renewed hope for their client's freedom.
• The defendant's attorneys filed a petition requesting cassation of the guilty verdict because they believed that new exculpatory evidence had been overlooked. They stated that this evidence presented reasonable doubt regarding their client's involvement.
• Due to evidence of improper jury selection, the appellate court ordered the cassation of the trial. This required a complete retrial with a new jury. The retrial would be crucial to determining the final fate of the accused.