laches

[ lach-iz ]

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.

laches

/ ˈlætʃɪz /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of laches¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of laches¹

C14 lachesse, via Old French lasche slack, from Latin laxus lax

Example Sentences

The theory is absurd—under a basic legal principle known as laches, it’s impermissible to contest the results of an election you lost simply because you didn’t like the rules, when you could have challenged those same rules before the election was held.

From Slate

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

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

Now there may be many responses to such arguments, including arguments like laches—you can’t start raising these arguments after an election when things don’t go your way.

From Slate

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

From New York Times