Legal Definitions - dilatory plea

A dilatory plea is a legal response that seeks to delay or defeat a legal action on procedural grounds. It does not challenge the merits of the case but rather focuses on technicalities.

For example, a defendant may file a dilatory plea to challenge the jurisdiction of the court or the venue of the case. This type of plea does not address the substance of the case but rather seeks to dismiss it based on procedural issues.

Another example of a dilatory plea is a plea in abatement, which objects to the time, place, or method of asserting the plaintiff's claim but does not dispute the claim's merits.

Overall, a dilatory plea is a legal tactic used to delay or defeat a legal action without addressing the substance of the case.