legal action
noun [ C or U ]
ukus(also legal proceedings [ plural ]) LAW
the process of using lawyers, courts of law, etc. to solve disagreements, or an occasion when this happens:
legal action against sb There will be no legal action against the healthcare trust.
threaten (sb with) legal action Employers who hire illegal immigrants are being threatened with legal action.
take legal action (against sb/sth) Lenders do not generally take legal action until the borrower is three months in arrears.
begin/launch/bring legal action (against sb/sth) The European Commission launched legal action against two member states.
face legal action Several leading national newspapers now face legal actions for libel.
the threat/prospect of legal action The threat of legal action is the latest twist in an increasingly bitter dispute between management and unions.
have grounds for legal action Lawyers say the company probably has grounds for legal action under the Trades Description Act.
costly/further/possible legal action He declined to comment on the situation further because of possible legal actions.