What may happen if a party waits too long to act on their legal rights under the doctrine of "laches"?

Under the doctrine of "laches," a party who delays taking legal action may find that their ability to assert their rights is barred. This principle is grounded in the idea that a plaintiff's unreasonable delay in pursuing a claim can result in prejudice to the defendant. For instance, evidence may become unavailable, witnesses may forget essential details, or the defendant's situation may have changed, making it unfair to allow the claim to proceed after a significant lapse of time.

The doctrine serves as a mechanism to promote the timely enforcement of rights and to ensure that cases are brought while evidence is still fresh and relevant. Therefore, if a party waits too long to act, they risk losing their right to pursue legal remedies altogether, reinforcing the importance of diligence in legal matters.