good cause

Good cause is a legally sufficient reason for a ruling or other action by a judge. Good cause is often the burden placed on a litigant by the court to show why a request should be granted or an action excused. For example, in case of dismissal for lack of prosecution the court may place the burden on a litigant to show good cause for not prosecuting the case. 

[Last reviewed in February of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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