Coercion
Coercion: Using force, threats or other pressure to make someone act against their will. A contract or other agreement obtained by improper threats can be voidable for duress (Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 175). Many coercive acts are also crimes, such as extortion and coercing a person by threats of violence.
What coercion means
Put simply, coercion is part of the working vocabulary of a civil case. The short definition above covers the usual meaning. Still, a specific rule, statute or contract can give it a narrower meaning. For that reason, check how it is used in your own documents.
Where coercion comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
Read the source: Threats.
How to research the term
First, read the term where it actually appears. A rule, statute or court decision may define it for its own purposes. Next, check whether your court has a local rule that uses coercion in a special way. Then look at recent decisions from courts in your jurisdiction. They show how judges apply the term today. Also, remember that state law can differ from federal law. For that reason, use our state procedures guide to find your state’s rules. Finally, confirm every source is current before you rely on it.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Clerk of court: the court officer who maintains records, accepts filings and performs duties assigned by the rules, such as entering defaults.
- Client: a person or organization that engages a lawyer for legal services.
- Code of Federal Regulations: the official compilation of the general and permanent rules issued by federal agencies, arranged in 50 titles by subject and published by the Office of the Federal Register (44 U.S.C. § 1510). A regulation has the force of law only if Congress authorized it and the agency followed the required procedures.
- Code of judicial conduct: a written set of ethics rules for judges, organized under broad canons.
Why precise terms matter
Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.