on the merits adj. referring to a judgment, decision or ruling of a court based upon the facts presented in evidence and the law applied to that evidence. A judge decides a case "on the merits" when he/she bases the decision on the fundamental issues and considers technical and procedural defenses as either inconsequential or overcome. Example: An attorney is two days late in filing a set of legal points and authorities in opposition to a motion to dismiss. Rather than dismiss the case based on this technical procedural deficiency, the judge considers the case "on the merits" as if this mistake had not occurred.
on the merits
based on the qualities of someone or something, or on the facts of a situation. The mayor makes job appointments only on the merits.
Usage notes: used especially in legal decisions: His pardon was granted solely on the merits.
发表于 2007-4-27 07:30:26
发表于 2007-4-27 08:28:49