Legal Definitions - dereliction

Dereliction is when someone abandons something or fails to fulfill an obligation.

• Dereliction of personal property is when someone abandons their property, making it available for others to salvage.
• Dereliction of duty is when someone fails to perform their job obligations without a valid excuse.

For instance, if a homeowner leaves their old car in their yard for years without using it or maintaining it, it becomes derelict. Anyone can come and take it because the owner has abandoned it. Similarly, if a police officer fails to perform their duties or does them poorly, they are guilty of dereliction of duty. This could include not responding to a call for help or not following proper procedures during an arrest.