Legal Definitions - interpel

Definition: Interpel is another word for interpellate, which means:

1. (Of a judge) to interrupt, with a question, a lawyer's argument.
2. (Of a legislator) to interrupt a legislature's calendar by bringing into question a ministerial policy, especially in the legislature of France, Italy, or Germany.

Example: During the trial, the judge decided to interpel the defense attorney to clarify a point.

Explanation: In this example, the judge interrupted the defense attorney's argument with a question to gain a better understanding of the point being made.

Example: The opposition party in the French parliament decided to interpel the Prime Minister on his government's handling of the economy.

Explanation: In this example, the legislators interrupted the normal legislative calendar to bring into question the Prime Minister's policies on the economy.