unfair trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfair trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to describe a trial that does not adhere to the principles of justice or fairness. Example: "The defendant argued that he was denied an unfair trial due to the lack of legal representation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Bad judge, unfair trial, an all-time dose of home cooking," he told me.

The New Yorker

Lindsay's poverty means that she has ended up sentenced to death after a manifestly unfair trial".

BBC

The request argued that Guzman would face an inherently unfair trial in the US.

The Guardian

The defendant is to have his opportunity to demonstrate prejudice and the likelihood of an unfair trial.

Cornell University

International human rights law specifically prohibits death sentences resulting from unfair trial, as well as the execution of new mothers.

The Guardian

They can either allow the former Yugoslav strongman to overhaul his defense schedule or risk accusations of an unfair trial.

The New York Times

• An Urgent Action is issued when someone is in immediate danger of torture, execution or unfair trial.

The Guardian

People like Hakamada Iwao who has spent 44 years of his life on death row after an unfair trial.

The Guardian

She has said he received an unfair trial in the Abner Louima brutality case, and yesterday, an appellate court agreed.

The New York Times

She added that Sheikh Nimr was convicted in an "unfair" trial and that his execution "is only adding to the existing sectarian discord and unrest".

Independent

Simon, who knew Forté through her son, thought that Forté had received an unfair trial and that the mandatory minimum sentence was too extreme for a first offense.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing legal proceedings, use "unfair trial" to clearly convey that the process deviated from accepted standards of justice and impartiality.

Common error

Avoid using "unfair trial" without providing specific examples or evidence of bias, procedural errors, or violations of rights. Substantiate your claim to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfair trial" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific type of legal proceeding that deviates from the expected standards of justice and impartiality. Ludwig indicates that it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unfair trial" is a commonly used noun phrase denoting a legal proceeding that deviates from established standards of justice. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media, academic discussions, and encyclopedic entries. Linguistic analysis reveals its primary function is to criticize or express concern about the impartiality of a trial. While generally neutral, its formality can vary based on the source. Related phrases, such as "biased trial" and "unjust trial", offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

biased trial

Focuses on the prejudice or leaning of the trial process.

unjust trial

Emphasizes the lack of justice or fairness in the trial.

flawed trial

Highlights the imperfections or errors in the trial process.

sham trial

Suggests the trial is a deceptive or insincere proceeding.

kangaroo court

Indicates a mock trial where the outcome is predetermined.

miscarriage of justice

Focuses on the incorrect outcome resulting from the legal process.

perversion of justice

Highlights the corruption or distortion of the judicial system.

travesty of justice

Emphasizes the mockery or degradation of the legal system.

mockery of justice

Implies the trial is a ridiculous or insincere exercise of legal power.

denial of due process

Focuses on the violation of legal rights and procedures.

FAQs

What constitutes an "unfair trial"?

An "unfair trial" involves deviations from legal standards, such as biased judges, improper evidence, or denial of legal representation. These factors compromise impartiality and due process.

What can I say instead of "unfair trial"?

You can use alternatives like "biased trial", "unjust trial", or "flawed trial" depending on the specific issue.

Is "unfair trial" a legal term?

"Unfair trial" is not a formal legal term but a common way to describe a trial that violates due process rights. Legal professionals might use more specific terms depending on the violation.

What are the consequences of an "unfair trial"?

An "unfair trial" can lead to appeals, overturned convictions, and retrials. It undermines public confidence in the justice system and violates the defendant's rights.