laches
/ˈlætʃɪz/
noun
- Unreasonable delay in making a legal claim or asserting a right, which can result in losing the right to do so.
- If you wait too long to complain about the property line, the judge may apply laches against you.
- The court dismissed the lawsuit because of laches, since the plaintiff waited ten years to file.
- A defense of laches was raised by the defendant, arguing the delay had prejudiced their case.
Synonyms