unjustified delay

[/ˌʌndʒʌstɪfaɪd dɪˈleɪ/]
nounpl: unjustified delays
atraso injustificado
1. A postponement or hold-up of an action, decision, or process that lacks valid or acceptable reasons or explanations
The court ruled that the unjustified delay in processing the permit violated the applicant's rights.
O tribunal decidiu que o atraso injustificado no processamento da licença violou os direitos do requerente.
2. In legal or administrative contexts, a failure to act within required timeframes without proper justification
The unjustified delay in responding to the complaint resulted in penalties for the company.
O atraso injustificado na resposta à reclamação resultou em penalidades para a empresa.
This term is particularly important in Brazilian and Portuguese legal systems where administrative law emphasizes efficiency and the right to timely decision-making. In both the USA and Brazil, courts have increasingly recognized that unjustified delays in administrative processes can be grounds for legal action or reversal of decisions. The phrase is commonly used in labor law, civil rights cases, and consumer protection matters.
NYC Slang
unreasonable wait / unnecessary holdup
Synonyms / Sinônimos
unwarranted delayunreasonable delayinexcusable delayunfounded postponementbaseless holdup
Antonyms / Antônimos
justified delayreasonable delayexcusable postponementprompt actiontimely response

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
atraso injustificado
Standard usage in legal and administrative documents
Rio de Janeiro
atraso sem justificativa
Common colloquial variant
São Paulo
atraso injustificado
Preferred in business and legal contexts
Portugal
atraso injustificado
Identical to Brazilian Portuguese; used in legal proceedings

Related Words

delaypostponementprocrastinationjustificationexplanationadministrative lawdue process

Related Idioms & Phrases

without rhyme or reason
without just cause
without valid excuse
undue delay
inexcusable tardiness
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