Government Glossary

Mootness

Mootness means a court may no longer decide a case because the live dispute has ended or the requested relief can no longer matter.

Plain-English Meaning

In the Guide to Government, this term belongs to jurisdiction and justiciability. It is useful because government pages often use short legal or procedural labels, while visitors need to know who has authority, what document or decision to look for, and where to verify the official record.

Related Guide Pages

Judicial BranchThe Branch That Decides: how federal courts interpret law, resolve disputes, review government action, and connect visitors to official court resources.Landmark Cases ArchiveSearch landmark constitutional cases by case name, facts, legal question, ruling, impact, and related terms.