Cause of action

Definition
1  : the grounds (as violation of a right) that entitle a plaintiff to bring a suit <an amended pleading reiterating a cause of action for lost profits ­J. H. Friedenthal et al.>
also
: the part of a suit brought on those grounds <removed the cause of action to the district court>
2  : See also right of action <the court, led by Justice Brennan, said Congress intended to provide a private cause of action ­National Law Journal>



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Based on Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©2001.
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