Laches Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Laches.

Laches (noun)

Laches is a legal principle that may prevent a person from making a claim or right, if they have taken too long to assert it after becoming aware of the issue. It typically applies when their delay works against the interests of the other party involved. For example, if a person did not make efforts to reclaim their property once they found it was being used by someone else, and only sought to do so after the property was consumed or transformed, they may be barred from asserting their claim due to laches.