Abatement is generally the temporary or permanent halting of a process (a lawsuit) or a situation (a nuisance).
In Maine, abatement can refer to different legal contexts. In the context of a lawsuit, abatement means the suspension or cessation of judicial proceedings. This can occur for various reasons, such as the death of a party, a lack of jurisdiction, or a case becoming moot. Maine Rules of Civil Procedure address the abatement of actions, and specific statutes may also govern the abatement of particular types of cases. In the context of a nuisance, abatement refers to the legal process of removing or stopping a nuisance. Maine law allows for the abatement of public nuisances through court orders, and local ordinances often provide mechanisms for addressing nuisances such as noise, pollution, or unsafe buildings. The process typically involves a complaint, investigation, and potentially a court order for abatement, which may include the cessation of the nuisance or remedial actions.