show-causeadj.
/ˌʃəʊˈkɔːz/, U.S. /ˌʃoʊˈkɔz/, /ˌʃoʊˈkɑz/ Law.
That requires a party to a case or dispute to provide arguments, explanation, or evidence on a specific point, esp. to provide reasons why the court, or another person, should do or not do a particular thing. Also: of or relating to such a requirement. Cf. show cause at cause n. 3b.
ΚΠ
1836 R. Charnock Digest New Rules Pract. & Pleading 63 If the warrant of attorney be..above twenty years old, there must be a show-cause rule, founded on an affidavit, stating facts which rebut the presumption of payment.
1891 Rep. Royal Comm. Gold Mining (Victoria, Austral.) 3 ‘Show cause’ letters are sent to the lessees..calling upon them to show cause why steps should not be taken to declare the lease forfeited.
1957 N.Y. Times 9 Feb. 9/4 The Central was not entitled to bring a show-cause proceeding to challenge a commission order.
1984 Academe 70 3a/2 The Commission on Colleges..issued a ‘show-cause’ report to the college.
2010 A. Evans Assessing Lawyers' Ethics vi. 186 A show-cause process capable of allowing for the many unique circumstances that surround any disciplinary history.
Compounds
show-cause hearing n. a judicial hearing at which a party to a case or dispute is required to provide arguments, explanation, or evidence on a specific point.
ΚΠ
1921 School Rev. 29 649 Judge Smith..set yesterday for a show-cause hearing by the board.
1979 D. L. Chambers Making Fathers Pay 354 Men..were arrested having failed to appear at a show-cause hearing.
2014 Charleston (W. Va.) Gaz. (Nexis) 16 July 5 a Tuesday's show-cause hearing was to determine whether the agency would face sanctions.
show-cause notice n. a notice requiring a party to a case or dispute to provide arguments, explanation, or evidence on a specific point, esp. in court; = show-cause order n.
ΚΠ
1944 Yale Law Jrnl. 53 737 A show cause notice was issued and served.
1984 Econ. & Polit. Weekly 19 2141/3 Show-cause notices were issued to about 100 sugar mills for their failure to despatch the entire free sale quota.
2005 Sunday Mail (Brisbane) 6 Mar. 27/2 The male teacher has been issued with a show-cause notice.
show-cause order n. an order requiring a party to a case or dispute to provide arguments, explanation, or evidence on a specific point, esp. in court; = show-cause notice n.
ΚΠ
1838 T. E. Tomlins Direct. for proceeding under Act for Abolition of Debt (ed. 2) ii. 30 The judges will settle a form of summons or ‘show cause order’ to this effect.
1941 U.S. Rep. (Supreme Court) 313 40 The court issued a show cause order to Nye and Mayers who filed their answers.
2006 J. Oldham Trial by Jury ix. 174 A show-cause order against a woman who failed to appear for jury service.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.1836