1. Unreasonable delay or negligence in asserting a legal right or claim, especially in equity law.
Usage: legal term; used in equity and contract law; typically uncountable

Examples

• The court ruled that the plaintiff's claim was barred by laches because he waited ten years to file suit.
• In equity cases, laches can prevent a party from recovering damages if they unreasonably delayed bringing their claim.
• The defendant argued that laches applied since the plaintiff knew of the breach but took no action for years.
• Laches is an equitable defense that protects defendants from stale claims.
• The judge found no laches because the plaintiff filed within the statute of limitations.