laches
n. [from Norman French lasches, slackness, negligence] Neglect and unreasonable delay in enforcing an equitable right. If a claimant with full knowledge of the facts takes an unnecessarily long time to bring an action (e.g. to set aside a contract obtained by fraud) the court will not assist him; hence the maxim “the law will not help those who sleep on their rights” and “equity aids the vigilant”. The defence of laches is only allowed if there is no statutory limitation period. If there is such a period, the claimant can bring an action at any time up to the expiry of the time stated. See acquiescence; waiver.

• subsidiary company
• substantial damages
• substantial donor
• substantial performance
• substantive fairness
• substantive law
• substituted judgment
• substituted service
• substitutional legacy
• subtenancy
• subtenant
• sub-trust
• success fee
• succession
• successive interests
• sue
• suicide
• sui generis
• sui juris
• suit
• Summary Appeal Court
• summary assessment
• summary conviction
• summary financial statement
• summary judgment