When can a court strike out a pleading according to Rule 171?

A court can strike out a pleading under Rule 171 if it discloses no reasonable cause of action. This is a fundamental mechanism in procedural law meant to ensure that only claims with a legal basis are allowed to proceed in court. The rule aims to prevent the court from being burdened with cases that lack sufficient merit. By ensuring that every action brought before it has some legal foundation, the court can focus its resources on substantial cases that are worthy of judicial consideration.

This principle is grounded in the need for judicial efficiency and the avoidance of unnecessary litigation. If a pleading fails to outline a plausible argument or does not set out the essential elements required for a valid legal claim, it may be deemed frivolous or vexatious, and therefore the court is justified in striking it out.

In contrast, being overly lengthy, having an unresponsive opposing party, or lacking public interest in the case do not independently warrant striking out a pleading. These aspects may affect the management of a case, but they do not address whether there is a reasonable cause of action to begin with.