OSC
Law & Legal abbreviation · Litigation
| Stands for | Order to show cause |
|---|---|
| Categories | Law & Legal |
OSC stands for Order to show cause, a litigation abbreviation.
Court order directing a party to appear and explain why the court should not take a particular action, such as granting relief, imposing sanctions, holding someone in contempt or dismissing a case. In New York it can also bring on a motion on short notice with temporary relief.
Example: The judge issued an OSC why the case should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute.
Usage notes
In New York practice it is also written OTSC. Federal judges commonly issue OSCs over jurisdiction, missed deadlines and possible sanctions, including for briefs citing fictitious cases generated by AI tools. The burden of explanation falls on the party ordered to show cause.
Related abbreviations
More litigation abbreviations
- MVA – Motor vehicle accident
- NIED – Negligent infliction of emotional distress
- NOA – Notice of appeal
- OC – Opposing counsel
- ODR – Online dispute resolution
- Opp'n – Opposition
- PACER – Public Access to Court Electronic Records
- Pet'r – Petitioner
- PI – Personal injury
- PJ – Personal jurisdiction
- Pl. – Plaintiff
- PO – Protective order
See all 71 litigation abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.