legally defensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legally defensible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing whether a legal argument, position, or action can be supported in a court of law. Example: "The company's policy on employee conduct is legally defensible, ensuring that they can protect themselves against potential lawsuits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"The bill focuses on a few seed companies, while overlooking the vast number of other business on the island that use the same products for pest management," it said in a statement, adding, "We believe that the bill is not legally defensible and we continue to evaluate all of our business and legal options".

The New York Times

On both occasions, her actions, though controversial, were legally defensible.

The Economist

According to O'Brien, the proposal is "legally defensible".

The Guardian - Tech

"It was the least legally defensible position," one person close to Mr. Christie said.

The New York Times

"Whether it would be legally defensible if a family wanted to challenge it, that's a whole new arena".

The New York Times

Asked whether its program was legally defensible, Mr. Hershenson said CUNY did not believe its programs were exclusionary.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

He added: "We believe that a robust and legally-defensible objective justification needs to be in place, in the event of an independence vote, before the Act that would create an independent Scotland is enforced".

BBC

Are drone strikes legally and morally defensible?

The New York Times

"Drawing legally and logically defensible lines around this situation will be tricky for them," he told me.

The New Yorker

We have to consider what is legally viable, and defensible, and that we carry it through due process".

The Guardian - Sport

DPPA prevents any DMV from revealing this information unless it's required for legally reasonable and defensible purpose.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legally defensible", ensure you can articulate the specific legal principles or precedents that support the argument or action you are describing.

Common error

Don't assume "legally defensible" means universally accepted. It simply means there's a reasonable legal basis, even if it's contested. It's about potential success in court, not guaranteed victory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legally defensible" functions as an adjective that modifies a noun, indicating that something can be justified or supported according to the law. As shown in Ludwig AI, it's used to describe policies, actions, or arguments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legally defensible" is a commonly used adjective phrase that describes something with a solid legal basis. According to Ludwig, it signifies that a position, action, or argument can be supported in a court of law. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, the phrase is grammatically sound and sees frequent usage across various domains, particularly in news, science, and business contexts. While interchangeable with terms like "legally sound" and "justifiable under the law", it's crucial to remember that "legally defensible" implies a reasonable legal foundation, not necessarily guaranteed success in court.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justifiable under the law

Emphasizes the legal basis for justification, rather than the ability to defend it.

legally sound

Focuses on the robustness and correctness of the legal basis.

legally permissible

This alternative is a more direct synonym, replacing 'defensible' with 'permissible'.

lawful

A simpler term indicating adherence to the law, lacking the defensive aspect.

in accordance with the law

Stresses compliance and agreement with legal statutes.

upholdable in court

Focuses on the action's ability to withstand legal challenges in a court setting.

within legal boundaries

Highlights the confinement of the action within the limits of the law.

permissible by law

Emphasizes that the law allows the action.

legitimate

Indicates the action is recognized and accepted according to the law.

court-validated

Implies explicit approval or upholding by a court of law.

FAQs

How to use "legally defensible" in a sentence?

Use "legally defensible" to describe a position, action, or argument that has a reasonable basis in law and can be supported in court. For example: "The company's actions were "legally defensible" given the existing regulations".

What can I say instead of "legally defensible"?

You can use alternatives like "legally sound", "justifiable under the law", or "lawful" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "legally defensible" or "legally defendable"?

"Legally defensible" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Legally defendable" is less frequent but understandable.

What does it mean for something to be "legally defensible"?

It means that if the action or decision were challenged in court, there would be a sufficient legal basis to argue for its validity and legality.