Legal Definitions - casual

The term casual describes something that occurs by chance, without prior planning or expectation, or in an informal manner. In a legal context, it often refers to events that are accidental or unforeseen, or to employment arrangements that are irregular, temporary, or not part of a formal, ongoing relationship.

• Imagine a homeowner who, while performing routine maintenance on their roof, accidentally dislodges a loose tile that falls and damages a neighbor's fence. This incident would be considered a casual occurrence because it was unforeseen, unplanned, and happened purely by chance during a standard activity, rather than being the result of deliberate action or negligence.

• A local restaurant occasionally hires an extra server for a busy Saturday night when their regular staff is insufficient. This individual is engaged in casual employment. Their work is irregular, temporary, and based on immediate availability for a particular shift, rather than being part of a permanent or regularly scheduled employment contract with set hours and benefits.