term:

Family Purpose Doctrine

family purpose doctrine n

: a doctrine in tort law: the owner of a car is vicariously liable for damages incurred by a family member while using the car with the owner's permission called also family car doctrine NOTE: This doctrine is recognized only in some jurisdictions and has been rejected in most.

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.