Without Recourse

In litigation, a determination that one party has no legal claim against another party. Someone without recourse against another party cannot sue that party, or at least cannot obtain adequate relief even if a lawsuit moves forward and is resolved in his favor.  Alternatively, in financial transactions, the words “without recourse” in an agreement indicate that the party endorsing and conveying a check means that the endorser is not responsible if the check is dishonored for insufficient funds.  If the bank accepts such a check and deposits the stated amount in the endorser’s account, the bank will have no right to withdraw that amount from the endorser’s account.