Which type of law case requires you to prove due diligence?

Due diligence is a legal standard that is often associated with civil and contract cases, but it is particularly relevant in malpractice cases. In the context of malpractice, which typically involves professionals such as doctors, lawyers, or accountants failing to meet the standards of care expected in their field, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the professional did not exercise the level of care that would be expected of a reasonably competent professional in similar circumstances.

To establish this, the plaintiff must show that due diligence was not exercised, meaning the professional failed to take appropriate and reasonable steps to avoid harm or to fulfill their obligations. This includes documenting actions taken and decisions made, which ultimately supports proving negligence or failure to meet the required standard of care.

In contrast, civil cases and contract cases can involve many different issues and often do not require the same specific standard of due diligence regarding professional conduct. Criminal cases generally focus on proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and do not hinge on the same principles of due diligence as malpractice cases do. So, the necessity of proving due diligence aligns closely with the requirements of malpractice cases rather than the others listed.