Legal Definitions - empty-chair doctrine

The empty-chair doctrine is also known as the adverse-interest rule. It is a legal principle that allows a court to make a decision in a case even if one of the parties is absent from the proceedings. This means that if a defendant chooses not to appear in court, the court can still make a ruling against them.

For example, if a person is sued for damages in a car accident and fails to show up to court, the judge can still make a decision in favor of the plaintiff. The plaintiff can present their case and evidence, and the judge can make a ruling based on that information, even if the defendant is not present to defend themselves.

The empty-chair doctrine is used to ensure that cases can still be resolved even if one of the parties chooses not to participate. It is important to note that this doctrine is not always used, and a judge may choose to postpone a case if they believe that the absent party's presence is necessary for a fair ruling.