Cause of Action
The set of facts that entitles a person to bring legal proceedings � the factual and legal basis for a lawsuit.
Full Definition
A cause of action is the bundle of facts that gives rise to a legal right to bring an action. It must be a complete cause � all the essential elements of the claim must be present. The limitation period begins to run when the cause of action accrues (when the last fact needed to complete the cause of action occurs). Different causes of action arising from the same transaction can be combined in one suit.
In Indian Law
Order II CPC: the plaintiff must plead all grounds of relief available in one suit or be barred from raising them later (Rule against splitting cause of action). Order II Rule 2 is the source of this principle. In Daryao v. State of UP (1961), the Supreme Court held that an earlier writ petition that failed on merits bars a subsequent petition on the same cause under res judicata.