Circuity

A round-about course: indirect action, or procedure. Circuity of action. An indirect or roundabout mode of suing: where a party by an indirect proceeding makes two or more acr tions necessary, when justice could be obtained by a single action involving a more direct course. To prevent circuity of action, a court of equity often entertains jurisdiction upon this ground alone; and to avoid it, cross-demands and judgments are set off against each other. Cirouitus est evitandus. Circuity is to be avoided."