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Payment under protest

Defined in 2 dictionaries — Case Law, Ballentine's (1916)

Definitions from Case Law

From 72 U.S. 720 - City of Philadelphia v. The Collector · 1866Most cited · 115 citing opinions

Where the party voluntarily pays the money, he is without remedy; but if he pays it by compulsion of law, or under protest, or with notice that he intends to bring suit to test the validity of the claim, he may recover it back, if the assessment was erroneous or illegal, in an action of assumpsit for money had and received. When a party, knowing his rights, voluntarily pays duties or taxes illegally or erroneously assessed, the law will not afford him redress for the injury; but when the duties or taxes are illegally demanded, and he pays the same under protest, or gives notice to the collector that he intends to bring a suit against him to test the validity of the claim, the collector may be compelled to refund the amount illegally exacted

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

A formal statement accompanying a payment wherein the payer reserves all rights of suit to recover back the money paid. See 2 Daly (N. Y.) 497.