Laches, Doctrine of

Litigant who sleeps on his rights has no right to claim relief.

Same principle is applicable where plaintiff fails to pursue his claim assiduously by not appearing before Court on date fixed for proceedings in the matter.

Laches is a French term which has been derived from (Law French, "remissness, slackness"); unreasonable delay in pursuing a right or claim; always an equitable one and in a way that prejudices party against whom relief is sought.

Chancery developed the doctrine that where the plaintiff in equity delayed beyond the period of the statute applicable at law, relief would be refused on the ground of laches even though no specific prejudice to the defendant was shown

Statutes of limitation in most states applying to suits in equity; despite, however, the doctrine still holds that even if the delay is for a shorter period of time than that of the statute, it may still bar equitable relief, if it is unreasonable and prejudicial to the defendant.