The phrase from that cause is a legal expression commonly found in formal legal writing, particularly in contracts, case law, and court opinions. While it may seem archaic to the layperson, it carries specific implications in legal contexts. Understanding the meaning, usage, and legal nuances of such terminology is essential for lawyers, law students, and professionals who interact with legal documents. The phrase links consequences or actions to a specific reason, and interpreting it correctly is crucial in legal interpretation and litigation.
Understanding the Phrase ‘From That Cause’
Definition and Basic Interpretation
In legalese, from that cause typically means as a result of that reason or due to that situation. It is a phrase used to establish a direct causal relationship between an event or circumstance and its legal or practical consequences. For example, in a contract dispute, a party may argue that damages occurred from that cause, meaning as a direct consequence of a particular breach or failure.
Legal Equivalents
Several other legal terms are synonymous or closely related to from that cause, such as:
- Arising from
- Due to
- Because of
- As a result of
Each of these can be used in contracts, pleadings, and statutes, but from that cause often appears in older or more formal legal documents.
Usage in Legal Documents
Contracts and Agreements
In contracts, the phrase is used to link liabilities or obligations to specific triggering events. For example:
If either party breaches the terms herein, and damages ensue from that cause, the non-breaching party shall be entitled to compensation.
In this clause, the damages are specifically tied to the breach described, and from that cause makes clear the basis for a claim of damages.
Court Opinions and Judgments
Judges and legal clerks often use formal expressions like from that cause to attribute legal responsibility or factual outcomes. A typical example from a judgment might be:
The defendant failed to maintain proper signage, and the accident arose from that cause.
This usage clarifies causality and supports the logical reasoning behind a ruling.
Statutory Interpretation
In legislative texts, older statutes may include language such as:
A person shall not be liable for injury resulting from acts done under authority, unless injury occurs directly from that cause.
This type of clause serves to limit liability unless a clear causal link is established.
Importance in Legal Interpretation
Proving Causation
In legal proceedings, particularly tort cases, causation is a key element. A plaintiff must show that their harm resulted from that cause identified in the complaint. The language is therefore significant because it reflects the burden of establishing that a specific action directly caused the injury.
Avoiding Ambiguity
Legal drafters use phrases like from that cause to reduce ambiguity in documents. While it may sound formal, it helps limit multiple interpretations. For example, in a multi-cause scenario, pinpointing that an effect resulted from that cause helps isolate liability and avoid confusion about contributory factors.
Contractual Risk Allocation
Many contracts, especially in construction or insurance, allocate risks using this language. If damage occurs from that cause, and the contract specifies liability for that cause, then the party accepts the responsibility clearly and legally.
Examples in Real Cases
Case Example: Negligence and Causal Link
Consider a UK case involving a hospital’s failure to diagnose a condition. If the court finds that the patient’s worsening condition occurred from that cause of negligence, then the hospital could be held liable. The phrase plays a pivotal role in establishing that the injury did not result from an unrelated issue, but from the negligence itself.
Contract Disputes
In business litigation, a company might claim that delays occurred from the cause of the supplier’s failure to deliver goods. Here, identifying the exact cause has legal weight in deciding who bears financial responsibility.
Insurance Claims
Insurance contracts often contain clauses like: No benefit shall be payable for injuries arising from acts of war, nor for injuries sustained from that cause. This delineation explicitly excludes coverage based on the specified cause, preventing claims that stem from that risk.
Comparative Language in Legal English
Modern vs. Traditional Legal Writing
While from that cause is still legally valid, modern legal writing often favors clearer, more accessible language. Terms such as as a result of or due to are now preferred by many drafters and judges seeking to reduce legalese. However, for those dealing with older statutes or precedents, understanding these traditional expressions is still essential.
Plain English Movement
In jurisdictions like the UK, the Plain English Movement has advocated for simplifying legal documents. Even so, legal professionals must still be familiar with terms like from that cause, as many legal documents and historical case law continue to use them.
Implications for Legal Drafting and Practice
Best Practices for Lawyers
- Define causation clearly in contracts and pleadings
- Use from that cause when precision is needed in assigning liability
- Ensure that use of this phrase does not introduce ambiguity
- Where possible, accompany the phrase with clearer explanations or examples
For Law Students and Paralegals
Understanding traditional legal phrases like from that cause is key to mastering legal texts and historical case law. Familiarity with such expressions allows better comprehension of complex judgments and helps when preparing arguments in litigation or drafting formal legal opinions.
The legal phrase from that cause may appear outdated, but it remains an important part of legal vocabulary, particularly in formal or historical contexts. Its main purpose is to establish a direct link between an event and its consequence, and it serves to allocate responsibility with clarity and precision. Whether in contracts, judgments, or statutes, knowing how and when to use or interpret from that cause enhances legal understanding and contributes to more effective legal communication. As legal language evolves, this phrase continues to offer a precise and reliable tool in the hands of skilled legal professionals.