what does the word stay mean in legal terms
Stay of proceedings
A stay of proceedings is a ruling by the court in civil and criminal procedure , halting further legal process in a trial or other legal proceeding . The court can subsequently lift the stay and resume proceedings based on events taking place after the stay is ordered . However , a stay is sometimes used as a device to postpone proceedings indefinitely . 
A stay of proceedings is a ruling by the court in civil and criminal procedure , halting further legal process in a trial or other legal proceeding . The court can subsequently lift the stay and resume proceedings based on events taking place after the stay is ordered . However , a stay is sometimes used as a device to postpone proceedings indefinitely .
A stay of proceedings is a ruling by the court in civil and criminal procedure, halting further legal process in a trial or other legal proceeding. However, a stay is sometimes used as a device to postpone proceedings indefinitely.
A stay of proceedings is a ruling by the court in civil and criminal procedure , halting further legal process in a trial or other legal proceeding . However , a stay is sometimes used as a device to postpone proceedings indefinitely .
A stay of proceedings is a ruling by the court in civil and criminal procedure, halting further legal process in a trial or other legal proceeding.  A stay is sometimes used as a device to postpone proceedings indefinitely.
A stay of proceedings is a ruling by the court in civil and criminal procedure , halting further legal process in a trial or other legal proceeding . However , a stay is sometimes used as a device to postpone proceedings indefinitely .