Legal Definitions - nonappearance

Definition: Nonappearance refers to the failure of a person to appear in court, especially when they are supposed to prosecute or defend a lawsuit. This is also known as a default or nonsuit.

• John was supposed to appear in court to defend himself against the charges, but he didn't show up. This is an example of nonappearance.
• Sarah was supposed to prosecute the case, but she failed to appear in court. This is also an example of nonappearance.

These examples illustrate how nonappearance can have serious consequences in a legal case. If a person fails to appear in court, they may lose the case by default or be subject to other penalties.