special pleading

• Erreur logique consistant à appliquer aux autres des règles, des principes ou des normes, tout en s’accordant à soi-même ou à son propre argument une exception sans justification valable.

A logical fallacy in which a person applies standards, principles, or rules to others while making an exception for themselves or their own argument without adequate justification.

1. Logical fallacyC1formal

   An argument that ignores relevant evidence or makes an exception without proper justification.

   Argument privilégiant une exception non justifiée

   • His argument was a special pleading because he ignored the data that contradicted his claim.
   • The politician's defense was a classic case of special pleading.
   • Special pleading is often used to avoid addressing the main issue.

2. Legal termC2formal

   A legal claim that introduces new facts to avoid a previous legal obligation.

   exception dilatoire fondée sur des faits nouveaux

   • The defendant filed a special pleading to avoid the contract terms.
   • Special pleading in court requires specific evidence to support the exception.
   • The judge rejected the special pleading as insufficient.