Recusal: meaning, definitions and examples

Used primarily in legal settings when a judge or official formally steps down from a case or decision due to potential bias or conflict of interest.

• The judge's recusal was necessary due to his previous involvement with the case.
• A recusal should occur if a lawyer has a family relation to the defendant.

Commonly used in competitive contexts, such as sports or contests, when someone is deemed ineligible to participate due to rules violations or other reasons.

• The athlete faced disqualification for using banned substances.
• A late submission led to the disqualification of their entry in the contest.

This term is used when a person refrains from participating in a vote or decision, often in political or formal settings.

• During the meeting, several members announced their abstention from the vote.
• His abstention was noted in the official record.

Used in various contexts when someone decides to remove themselves from participation or involvement, either formally or informally.

• Her withdrawal from the tournament was a significant blow to the team.
• He announced his withdrawal from the project, citing personal reasons.