laches

American  

[lach-iz] / ˈlætʃ ɪz /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. failure to do something at the proper time, especially such delay as will bar a party from bringing a legal proceeding.

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laches British  

/ ˈlætʃɪz /

noun

1. law negligence or unreasonable delay in pursuing a legal remedy

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Etymology

Origin of laches

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English lachesse, from Anglo-French, variant of Middle French laschesse, derivative of Old French lasche “slack” (from Germanic ); -ice

Example Sentences

He said that laches should apply because the state lawsuit was more of a class action and less law enforcement, and that the actions described "occurred years ago and did not cause antitrust concern at the time."

From Reuters

She said the states' action was more akin to law enforcement so "laches," which forbids an unreasonable delay in filing, would not apply.

From Reuters

Others are more lawyerly and contain terms like “unconscionability” and “laches.”

From New York Times

But the judge, who sits in Marshall, Texas, accepted Apple’s defense of “prosecution laches,” which can block a patent holder from enforcing a patent after an unreasonable and unexplained delay.

From Reuters

“The Court is aware of no case, and Plaintiffs provide none, where such a long delay in seeking such a consequential remedy has been countenanced in a case brought by a plaintiff other than the federal government, against which laches does not apply and to which the federal antitrust laws grant unique authority as sovereign law enforcer.”

From Washington Times