private attorney general
Defined in 1 dictionary — Case Law
Definitions from Case Law
From 390 U.S. 400 - Newman v. Piggie Park Enterprises, Inc. · 1968Most cited · 3,760 citing opinions
When a plaintiff brings an action under [Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964], he cannot recover damages. If he obtains an injunction, he does so not for himself alone but also as a 'private attorney general,' vindicating a policy that Congress considered of the highest priority.