Laches is a legal doctrine that bars a claim due to a significant delay in pursuing it, where the delay has prejudiced the defendant. The principle of Laches is based on the idea that legal rights must be asserted within a reasonable time frame, and failing to do so can result in the loss of those rights.
Legal Context:
Laches is an equitable defense used in civil cases, particularly where the plaintiff has delayed in bringing a lawsuit, and the delay has adversely affected the defendant’s ability to defend against the claim.
Unlike statutes of limitations, which are fixed by law, Laches is a flexible doctrine based on the circumstances of each case.
Example
For instance, if someone discovers that their neighbor has built a structure that encroaches on their property line but waits many years to file a lawsuit, the court might dismiss the case based on Laches. If the delay in filing has caused the neighbor to invest further in the property or lose evidence that would have supported their defense, Laches could prevent the plaintiff from enforcing their property rights.
