What does compel mean legally?
Asked by: Maximus Rempel I | Last update: January 23, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (59 votes)
compel vt. com·pelled. com·pel·ling. : to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure and esp. by authority or law [cannot the defendant to testify] [the result…
How serious is a motion to compel?
In the legal discovery process, a motion to compel plays a pivotal role when one party fails or refuses to comply with discovery requests from the opposing side. It is a formal legal request made to the court by the aggrieved party seeking enforcement of discovery obligations.
What does "compel" mean in legal terms?
Legal Definition
compel. transitive verb. com·pel kəm-ˈpel. compelled; compelling. : to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure and especially by authority or law.
What does it mean when someone is compelled to do something?
Meaning of compelled in English
having to do something, because you are forced to or feel it is necessary: [ + to infinitive ] He felt compelled to report the incident. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Causing somebody to act.
What does compelling mean in law?
compelling adj
: that compels. : tending to demand action or to convince [a need for disclosure] [a argument]
Discovery: What is a Motion to Compel?
Does compelling mean forcing?
compelled, compelling. to force or drive, especially to a course of action: His disregard of the rules compels us to dismiss him. Synonyms: coerce, oblige, constrain. to secure or bring about by force.
What does makes a compelling case mean?
A compelling argument or reason is one that convinces you that something is true or that something should be done.
Is Compel positive or negative?
Compel has more of a neutral meaning than a positive or negative one. So does compelling. For example, you may feel compelled to dye your hair blue because all your friends are doing it, but you may also feel compelled to comfort a child who is crying. Evoking interest is not necessarily a positive thing, either.
Does compelled mean forced?
Compel means to force or drive someone to do something.
What is the force to compel?
Term: COMPEL. Definition: To force someone to do something they may not want to do, either by using threats or overwhelming pressure. For example, a lawyer cannot be forced to share information that is supposed to be kept private. It can also mean that a law or court decision leaves no other choice but to agree with it ...
How to win a motion to compel?
- Act in good Faith.
- Thorough Knowledge of the Case.
- Limit citing voluminous authorities.
- Avoid Personal Attacks.
What happens if someone doesn't respond to a motion to compel?
Courts enforce their orders by imposing sanctions on a party who fails to comply. Sanctions can be monetary, such as requiring one party to pay the other parties attorneys' fees and/or imposing a monetary fine, or they can hamper a party's ability to put on their case.
What is compelled evidence?
Compelled testimony refers to the legal process by which an individual is forced to provide evidence or statements in a legal setting, often against their will.
What does "compel" mean in court?
The motion to compel is used to ask the court to order the non-complying party to produce the documentation or information requested, and/or to sanction the non-complying party for their failure to comply with the discovery requests.
How long do you have to respond to motion to compel?
Notice of a motion to compel further responses must be made within 45 days of the service of the “verified response.” (See Code Civ. Proc., §§ 2030.300, subd. (c) [interrogatories], 2031.310, subd. (c) [requests for production], 2033.290, subd.
What consequences can result from a refusal to cooperate with an order compelling discovery?
(b) Failure to Comply with a Court Order. (1) Sanctions Sought in the District Where the Deposition Is Taken. If the court where the discovery is taken orders a deponent to be sworn or to answer a question and the deponent fails to obey, the failure may be treated as contempt of court.
What is an example of compel?
Illness compelled him to stay in bed. We took steps to compel their cooperation. The Texas Supreme Court declined to compel the state to do so in May of this year.
What is the closest meaning to compel?
Some common synonyms of compel are coerce, constrain, force, and oblige. While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.
What is a compelled payment?
A suit to compel payment is a legal action taken by a surety to force a debtor to pay their outstanding debt to a creditor. This type of lawsuit is typically brought in equity court and may include additional remedies if the debtor has acted fraudulently or is insolvent.
What is the compel process?
A motion to compel is a formal request made by one party in a legal case to the court, seeking an order that the opposing party must provide certain information or take specific actions within a specified timeframe.
What is the function of compel?
Compel generally refers to the action of forcing someone to do something, often through pressure or necessity. On the other hand, impel suggests a strong urge or motivation to do something, which comes from within oneself rather than from external forces.
What does it mean to compel someone to do something?
To "compel" someone means to force, pressure, or persuade them in a way that leaves them with little choice but to do something. Explanation: When we use the term "compel," we are describing the act of influencing or motivating someone to take a particular action, often against their will or natural inclination.
What is a compelling reason in law?
(Effect. 1/1/18; current WIC §§ 309 & 361.45) Definition: “Compelling Reason” means a decision to place a child with an applicant prior to approval as a Resource Family based upon the best interest of the child, to include maintaining a child's family-like connections.
What makes a piece of evidence compelling?
Evidence appeals to a reader's sense of logic and reason, helping to create a persuasive and compelling argument. By presenting clear, well-researched evidence, authors can show their readers that their claims are not based on personal opinion or bias but on objective information and sound reasoning.
What is an example of compelling circumstances?
Broad compelling circumstance categories include serious illness and disability, employer dispute or retaliation, other substantial harm to the applicant (e.g., financial), or a significant disruption to the employer.