adjective

pendent

Dependent on another legal matter.

The state claim is pendent to the related federal claim.

Etymology

Latin pendere means to hang. A pendent legal matter figuratively hangs from or depends on another matter rather than standing independently.

More examples

The complaint includes federal claims and pendent state claims.
Pendent jurisdiction allows the federal court to hear closely related state claims.
The judge dismisses the pendent claims after rejecting the federal claim.

pendent

dependent: Expresses reliance generally, without limiting it to legal matters.
ancillary: Emphasizes a supporting legal role rather than dependence on another matter.