What is the key characteristic of a cause of action?

The key characteristic of a cause of action is that it must be valid to support a lawsuit. This means that the cause of action provides a legitimate basis for bringing a claim to court, outlining the legal grounds on which the complaint is made. A valid cause of action demonstrates that the plaintiff has a right to seek relief based on specific allegations and legal theories, such as negligence, breach of contract, or defamation, among others.

Without a valid cause of action, a lawsuit cannot proceed because the court needs to evaluate the merits of the claims made. It ensures that the court addresses legitimate disputes and does not waste judicial resources on claims that lack legal foundation. This key characteristic is essential in both civil and criminal law to establish whether the legal procedures should be initiated based on the facts presented. In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the guiding principles of a cause of action as it pertains to legal procedures.