Sham Plea
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
is one entered for the mere purpose of delay; it must be of a matter which the pleader knows to be false; as judoment recovered, that is, that judgment has already been recovered by the plaintiff for the same cause of action. These sham pleas are generally discouraged, and in some cases are treated as a nullity.
Barn. & Ald. 197, 199; 5 Ibid. 750; 1 Barn. & Cr. 286; Archb. Civ. Pl. 249; 1 Chit. Pl. 401.