Legal Definitions - rule to show cause

A rule to show cause is a formal order issued by a court that directs a specific individual or party to appear before the court and provide a compelling reason or explanation ("show cause") why a particular action should not be taken, why a requested legal relief should not be granted, or why they should not be held responsible for failing to comply with a previous court order. Essentially, it places the burden on the recipient to justify their position or inaction to the court.

Here are some examples illustrating how a rule to show cause might be used:

• Example 1: Non-Compliance with Child Support

  Imagine a situation where a parent, Sarah, has a court order requiring her ex-spouse, Mark, to pay a certain amount in child support each month. For several months, Mark has consistently paid late or missed payments entirely. Sarah's attorney can file a motion with the court asking for enforcement of the child support order. The court might then issue a rule to show cause to Mark, ordering him to appear before the judge and explain why he has not complied with the child support order and why he should not be held in contempt of court for his failure to pay.

• Example 2: Failure to Respond to Discovery in a Lawsuit

  In a civil lawsuit concerning a business contract dispute, one party, "InnovateTech," has repeatedly failed to provide requested documents and answers to written questions (known as "interrogatories" in legal terms) to the opposing side, "Global Solutions," despite multiple formal requests. Frustrated by the delay, Global Solutions' attorney can ask the court for intervention. The court might then issue a rule to show cause to InnovateTech, demanding that their representative appear and explain why they have not produced the required information and why the court should not impose sanctions (such as fines or even ruling against them on certain issues) for their non-compliance.

• Example 3: Challenging a Proposed Property Sale

  Consider a scenario where a property owner, Mr. Henderson, is facing the sale of his land due to unpaid property taxes. He believes there was a significant error in the tax assessment process that led to the sale. Mr. Henderson's attorney could file a motion asking the court to temporarily halt the sale. The court might then issue a rule to show cause to the county tax authority, ordering them to appear and explain why the property sale *should* proceed, despite Mr. Henderson's claims of error, and why the court should *not* issue an injunction to stop the sale.