Stalingrad legal defense explained

The Stalingrad legal defense is a strategy usually used by a defendant to wear down the plaintiff or legal proceedings by appealing every ruling that is unfavorable to the defendant and using whatever other means possible to delay proceedings. Typically a meritorious case is not presented by the defendant.[1] [2] The term comes from the World War II era Battle of Stalingrad where the Soviet Union won the battle by wearing down attacking German forces over the course of 5 months.

A notable use of this legal defense strategy was by former South African president Jacob Zuma in attempting to avoid giving testimony before the Zondo Commission into state corruption. Zuma used a number of legal challenges, medical delays, private prosecutions,[3] and other means to attempt to cause the commission to run out of time before he would have to appear before it.[4] [5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stalingrad Defense Law and Legal Definition USLegal, Inc.. 2020-11-27. definitions.uslegal.com.
  2. Web site: 2018-06-19. Using Stalingrad Tactics To Delay Justice. 2020-11-27. Judges Matter. en-ZA.
  3. Web site: Thamm . Marianne . 2022-09-22 . AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY ANALYSIS : Zuma's still-mysterious 'medical condition' weaponised to prosecute journalist accused of disclosing it . 2022-10-02 . Daily Maverick . en.
  4. News: Corcoran. Bill. Zuma employing 'Stalingrad defence' as legal stalling strategy. 2020-11-27. The Irish Times. en.
  5. Web site: Powell. Cathleen. South African judge has refused to step down from corruption probe: this was the right call. 2020-11-27. The Conversation. en.