cy pres

Meanings

1. In the law governing charitable trusts, the doctrine that a court may direct the funds of the trust to a best alternative, to be chosen when the original beneficiary or direction is no longer possible or practicable, e.g. because it has ceased to exist or was ambiguously named.
2. In the law governing class action lawsuits, the doctrine that a court may direct the residue of the monetary award to a recipient such as a charity, if funds remain once payments to the identifiable class members have been completed and other expenses paid.

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman cy pres (“as close”) (i.e. as close as possible), equivalent to Modern French si près or aussi près.

Translations