Meaning of malice in law | Babel Free

Definitions

The state of having done something illegal without an intention of breaking the law.

uncountable

Examples

“[…] in actions of slander, though it should appear that the defendant was not actuated by ill-will against the plaintiff, malice in law will be inferred from the fact of intentional publication, unless the defendant can show that his language was excusable as a privileged communication […]”

“The actions of the president and the government advising him on the matter of Justice Isa were stained by malice in law, says the court. The president failed to apply his independent mind to the advice given to him […]”

“Any use of discretionary power exercised for an unauthorized purpose amounted to malice in law. It is immaterial whether the authority acted in good faith or bad faith.”

CEFR level