Distinction between acquiescence and laches - Indian Laws - General

Distinction between acquiescence and laches The meaning of the word acquiescence would perhaps also depend on the context in which it is used. In the present context, amongst various meanings ascribed to the word, the closest would be the following given in Corpus Juris Secundum Volume I Black s Law Dictionary, Sixth (6f) Edition. Corpus Juris Secundum Volume I at Pages 915-916 Acquiescence - the word, it has been said, implies acceptance or approval, active assent, active consent, assent, assent or consent, consent, also knowledge, and power to contract. Black s Law Dictionary, Sixth (6 ) Edition at Page 24 Acquiescence - conduct recognizing the existence of a transaction, and intended, in some extent atleast, to carry the transaction, or permit it to be carried, into effect. It would also perhaps be useful to cull out the distinction between acquiescence and laches as stated in the Black s Law Dictionary (6f Edition at page 24). Acquiescence and laches are cognate but not equivalent terms. The former is a submission to, or resting satisfied with, an existing state of things, while latches implies a neglect to do that which the party ought to do for his own benefit or protection. Hence laches may be evidence of acquiescence. Laches imports a merely a passive assent, while acquiescence implies active assent. In re Wilbur s Estate, 334 Pa. 45, 5 A.2d 325, 331. Acquiescence relates to inaction during performance of an act while laches relates to delay after act is done. RICH PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND ANR. VERSUS INDO NIPPON FOOD LTD. - 2010 (2) TMI 1255 - DELHI HIGH COURT