The phrase "significant departure" means a noticeable and important change or deviation from something that was previously established or expected. Full definition
Even significant departures from regular policy are often overlooked when the email itself looks authentic and seems urgent. (lawyerist.com)
The dramatic exit represents one of the most significant departures ever seen from the foreign network of a magic circle firm. (legalweek.com)
Both of these analytical moves represent significant departures from current theories of statutory interpretation, including textualism, and they render statutory interpretation essentially unrecognizable. (lawnlinguistics.com)