LEGAL PRINCIPLE: CIVIL PROCEDURE – Cause of Action – Definition of “Cause of Action”
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
The words 'cause of action' mean simply a factual situation the existence of which entitles one person to obtain a remedy against another person; it denotes every fact (though not every piece of evidence) which it would be necessary for the plaintiff to prove, if traversed, to support their right to the judgment of the court; the term also means a cause for an action in the courts to determine a disputed matter; any act on the part of the defendant which gives the plaintiff a cause of complaint is a cause of action.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
"The words 'cause of action' mean simply a factual situation the existence of which entitles one person to obtain a remedy against another person. It denotes every fact (though not every piece of evidence) which it would be necessary for the plaintiff to prove, if traversed, to support his right to the judgment of the court. The term also means a cause for an action in the courts to determine a disputed matter. Any act on the part of the defendant which gives the plaintiff a cause of complaint is a cause of action."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
This comprehensively restates cause of action definition (see Principle 489). Multiple definitions converge: (1) Factual situation: Existence entitles remedy against another—facts giving right to judicial relief. (2) Material facts: Every fact (not evidence) plaintiff must prove if disputed to support judgment—facts establishing claim elements. (3) Ground for court action: Basis for judicial determination of disputed matter. (4) Defendant’s act: Any act giving plaintiff cause of complaint. These definitions overlap: cause of action comprises facts establishing right to relief, facts plaintiff must prove for judgment, and defendant’s acts creating complaint. “Though not every piece of evidence” means: cause of action is facts, not proof of facts—evidence proves facts but isn’t itself the cause of action. This serves: defining what plaintiff must plead (material facts), what must be proved (those facts if disputed), and what constitutes actionable claim. Pleadings must state: material facts constituting cause of action, not evidence or law, giving defendant notice of case. “Any act…giving cause of complaint” means: defendant’s conduct creating plaintiff’s grievance, wrongful act, or breach giving rise to claim. Understanding cause of action is essential for: proper pleading, determining what must be proved, assessing whether claim exists, and identifying claim elements.