Русско-англо-русский юридический словарь

as a last resort. if all other methods fail: British police are supposed to use guns only as a last resort. (Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary)

Adam Craggs, the head of tax investigations at RPC, said: “Given that the majority of tax evaders are not hardcore criminals but fairly normal businesspeople who have made wrong decisions and just got out of their depth, arrests should be treated as a last resort.” (Scottish Legal News)

Mr Gill said there could be serious problems with leaving intoxicated people with family or, as a last resort, in police lock-up. (ABC News)