pettifoggery
/ˈpɛtiˌfɔɡəri/
noun
- The practice of using petty, dishonest, or unethical legal methods; quibbling over trivial details.
- The judge criticized the lawyer's pettifoggery and demanded straightforward arguments.
- His reputation for pettifoggery made clients wary of hiring him.
- The lawsuit was delayed by months of pettifoggery from the defense team.
- Petty or trivial argumentation; nitpicking.
- Their constant pettifoggery ruined the friendly discussion.
- The meeting was a waste of time because of all the pettifoggery over the wording.
- I have no patience for pettifoggery; let's just agree on the main points.