law
doctrine of laches
The doctrine of laches is an equitable defense that bars a party from enforcing a right because they waited unreasonably long to act, and the delay harmed the other side. Unlike a statute of limitations, laches has no fixed deadline; a court decides whether the delay was unreasonable based on the facts. It often arises in cases about enforcing deed restrictions or seeking specific performance.
- Exam tip
- Contrast laches (unreasonable delay judged by a court, no set time) with the statute of limitations (a fixed time period set by law).
- Example
- Neighbors ignore a homeowner's prohibited garage for eight years, then sue to make him remove it; a court may refuse the claim because of laches.
Related terms & state variants
Sources
Source verification pending. Confirm current requirements with your state regulator.
Last verified: 2026-10-23