Legal Definitions - Short cause

A short cause, also known as a short-cause trial, is a legal case that requires only a brief trial. Typically, a short cause case lasts for a day or less. If the trial lasts longer than a day, the judge may declare a mistrial and reset the case as a long cause.

• A landlord-tenant dispute over unpaid rent may be considered a short cause case.
• A small claims court case involving a minor car accident may also be a short cause case.

These examples illustrate how a short cause case can involve relatively simple legal issues that can be resolved quickly. In both cases, the parties involved can present their arguments and evidence in a short amount of time, and the judge can make a decision without the need for a lengthy trial.