Long Cause Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Long Cause, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Long Cause?

History and Meaning of Long Cause

Long cause is a legal term used in civil litigation which is expected to take more than one day to complete the trial. Long cause suits are typically more complex and time-consuming than short cause suits. This term is primarily used in Canada and United Kingdom, and its legal definition varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

In Canada, a long cause is defined as an action in which there are multiple issues, parties, or a large amount of evidence; while in the United Kingdom, it refers to cases that take more than a day to hear. The term is used by courts and lawyers to distinguish between cases that are likely to be heard quickly and those that will take longer.

Examples of Long Cause

Here are a few examples of how long cause might be used in different contexts:

• The judge's schedule was already full with a long-cause suit, so the short-cause hearing had to be delayed until next month.
• The lawyers were preparing for a long-cause trial that was expected to take several weeks to complete.
• The court clerk informed the parties that the long-cause suit would be heard in a courtroom on the fourth floor.
• Although the case was originally classified as short-cause, it was reclassified as long-cause after additional evidence was gathered.

Legal Terms Similar to Long Cause

Here are some related legal terms:

• Short cause: A lawsuit that is expected to take less than a day to complete the trial.
• Civil litigation: The legal process in which disputes between individuals, companies, or organizations are resolved in court.
• Discovery: The process by which parties in a lawsuit exchange information about their case prior to trial.
• Trial: The presentation of evidence in court to a judge or jury to determine the outcome of a case.
• Appeal: A request for a higher court to review and potentially overturn a decision made by a lower court.