In those contentions lies the heart of a defense that would make protracted, probably hotly partisan Congressional proceedings inevitable.

The practice, called passing the trash, avoids the difficulties of criminal prosecution or protracted disciplinary proceedings.

The protracted proceedings became the longest-running lawsuit in German history.

Indeed, she has fought through protracted legal proceedings to successfully stiff him.

"It is a question of raising funds to help those who might be totally bankrupted if there was any protracted legal proceeding," he said.

Spectrum said it had decided to settle the shareholder lawsuit to avoid protracted legal proceedings.

The predicament of the Attorney General during the protracted proceedings had been particularly awkward.

Patients in this category have won cases in the lower courts, but usually only after protracted legal proceedings with no assurance of success.

At that time, Barnett was ousted from his church by its remaining elders, leading to further protracted legal proceedings.

The fear is that we could end up with rather protracted proceedings, particularly if, as some people are demanding, a preliminary question procedure is instituted.