What is the doctrine of laches?

The doctrine of laches is a legal principle in civil procedure in California. It assumes that someone who delays in taking legal action may be barred from recovery if they have been inattentive or slow to act. This could happen if they wait too long to file a lawsuit or make other legal claims. Essentially, this doctrine states that if a person delays their action for an unreasonable amount of time, they may lose their right to take legal action on the matter. This protects defendants from having to defend against outdated claims or issues. For example, a person cannot wait 10 years to file a lawsuit against someone when the incident happened 5 years before. The doctrine of laches is a type of defense in civil cases and is sometimes used in place of statutes of limitations. It is important for California residents to act promptly when pursuing a legal claim so that their rights are not forfeited. The doctrine of laches can prevent any action from occurring on a matter that has been neglected for too long. Moreover, the delay must be considered unreasonable and unjust.

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What is the doctrine of laches?

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