Kangaroo court意思

"Kangaroo court" is an English idiom that refers to a court or judicial proceeding that is considered to be a sham, unfair, or lacking in due process. The term is derived from the Australian marsupial, the kangaroo, and is thought to have originated in the mid-19th century. It suggests that the court or judicial system is so named because it "jumps" to conclusions or operates with a lack of fairness or impartiality, much like a kangaroo is perceived to jump erratically.

A kangaroo court is often characterized by a lack of proper judicial procedures, such as the absence of a proper jury, the failure to observe the rules of evidence, or the presence of a biased judge or jury. Such courts may be found in various contexts, including military, political, or corporate settings, and they are generally considered to be illegitimate or unjust.

The phrase is often used metaphorically to criticize a situation where justice is not served due to the unfairness or incompetence of the judicial process. It is not a legal term in the strict sense but is used colloquially to express dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of fairness in a judicial or quasi-judicial setting.