Noun: special pleading 'spe-shul 'plee-ding
- An argument that ignores all unfavourable evidence
"His defence relied on special pleading, conveniently overlooking key facts"; "The company's response was mere special pleading, failing to address the main concerns"
- (law) a pleading that alleges new facts in avoidance of the opposing allegations
"The lawyer used special pleading to introduce mitigating circumstances"
Derived forms: special pleadings
Type of: pleading, specious argument
Encyclopedia: Special pleading