Quash

What quash means

In short, quash is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.

Where quash comes up

For example, the term appears in these procedures:

• Motion to Quash or Modify a Subpoena (Fed. R. Civ. P. 45(d)(3)): a request asking the court to cancel or narrow a subpoena.

How to research the term

Start with the primary source. For example, if quash appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read quash in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.

You can read the official rule text online for free.

Related legal terms

• Subpoena: a court command requiring a person to appear and testify or to produce documents or things.
• Promissory note: a written promise by one party to pay a sum of money to another. Many promissory notes are negotiable instruments under UCC Article 3.
• Protective order: a court order limiting discovery to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense.
• Public: belonging to, or concerning, the people as a whole or the government.

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.