recuse

 
Pronunciation: /rɪˈkjuːz/

verb

[with object] chiefly North American
  • challenge (a judge or juror) as unqualified to perform legal duties because of a potential conflict of interest or lack of impartiality: he was recused when he referred to the corporation as ‘a bunch of villains’
  • (recuse oneself) (of a judge) excuse oneself from a case because of a potential conflict of interest or lack of impartiality: it was the right of counsel to ask a judge to recuse himself from continuing to hear a case because of bias

Derivatives

recusal

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'reject', specifically 'object to a judge as prejudiced'): from Latin recusare 'to refuse', from re- (expressing opposition) + causa 'a cause'. The current sense dates from the early 19th century