Grounds

The basis or foundation; reasons sufficient in law to justify relief.

Grounds are more than simply reasons for wanting a court to order relief. They are the reasons specified by the law that will serve as a basis for demanding relief. For example, a woman may sue her neighbor for TRESPASS on the ground that his fence was erected beyond his boundary line. Her real reason for suing may be that she does not like the loud music that he plays on his stereo, and she wants to cause him trouble. If his fence actually encroaches on her property, however, she has grounds for a CAUSE OF ACTION based on the trespass.