consent decree

noun

, Law.

1. an agreement, approved by the court, pursuant to which the defendant ceases activities alleged by the government to be illegal and the government's action is dropped, especially in antitrust and other regulatory matters.
2. an agreement made in court by the parties to settle a suit in equity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of consent decree¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

He also wouldn’t allow consent decrees — negotiated settlements between a plaintiff and a jurisdiction accused of voting rights violations — to count toward the violations that could subject a new jurisdiction to preclearance.

From Vox

It sought consent decrees—where local governments agree to binding terms to prevent tougher penalties—in many more municipalities.

From MIT Technology Review

Finally, in 2011, three days before Pete Buttigieg took office as mayor, the agency forced South Bend into a consent decree, ultimately demanding $863 million worth of sewer upgrades.

From MIT Technology Review

He says the training goes “right to the core” of the consent decree and the Justice Department’s initial findings.

From Washington Post

The police department there earned praise for its implementation of police retooling mandated by a federal consent decree of its own.

From Washington Post

You can not police yourselves and the consent decree was unsuccessful.

From The Daily Beast