order to show cause
Order to show cause (O.S.C.) is a demand of a judge for a party to justify, explain or prove why the court should or should not grant a motion. For example, if a party request a restraining order from a judge, the judge may feel he needs more information before deciding and issue an order to show cause.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
An order from a judge that directs a party to come to court and convince the judge why the judge shouldn't grant an action proposed by the other side or, occasionally, by the judge. For example, in a divorce, at the request of one parent a judge might issue an order directing the other parent to appear in court on a particular date and time to show cause why the first parent should not be given sole physical custody of the children.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:21 pm
