Test case (law)

In case law, a test case is a legal action whose purpose is to set a precedent. Test cases are brought to court as a means to provide a clearer definition to laws with disputed meaning and/or intent. An example of a test case might be a legal entity who files a lawsuit to see if the court considers a certain law or a certain legal precedent applicable in specific circumstances. This is useful, for example, to validate later filing similar lawsuits.

Government agencies sometimes bring test cases to confirm or expand their powers.