Right To Sue - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition right-to-sue

Definition :

Right to sue, the 'right to sue' means the right to bring a suit asserting a right to the same relief which the deceased plaintiff asserted at the time of his death'. Thus, contracts involving the exercise of special skill like a promise to paint a picture do not bind the representatives of the promisor, nor do they create in them a right that can survive the death of the promisor, Phool Rani v. Naubat Rai Ahluwalia, AIR 1973 SC 2110: (1973) 1 SCC 688: (1973) 3 SCR 679. [Delhi rent Control Act, 1958, s. 14(1)(e)]

(ii) The term 'right to sue' must be equated with 'cause of action', unless the context indicates otherwise, Gurdit Singh v. Munsha Singh, AIR 1977 SC 640: (1977) 1 SCC 791: (1977) 2 SCR 250.

The words 'right to sue' ordinarily mean the right to seek relief by means of legal proceedings. The right to sue accrues only when the cause of action arises, that is, the right to prosecute to obtain relief by legal means, State of Punjab v. Gurdev Singh, AIR 1991 SC 2219 (2220): (1991) 4 SCC 1.