Nonsuit Law and Legal Definition
Nonsuit refers to the termination of a legal action without an actual determination of the controversy on the merits. For example, a judgment of nonsuit may be granted against a plaintiff who either fails to pursue or abandons the lawsuit. It may also be a ruling that, in the judge's opinion, there is no evidence which could prove the plaintiff's case. A ruling of nonsuit results in a dismissal of the case. The dismissal may be with prejudice, meaning it may not be refiled, or without prejudice, meaning it may be filed again in the future.