Legal Definitions - casual

In a legal context, "casual" describes something that occurs by chance, without being foreseen or planned. When referring to employment, it signifies work that is occasional and lacks regularity, often implying a less formal arrangement where the worker may not be unionized and appropriate taxes might not be paid on wages.

The term casual describes something that occurs by chance, without prior planning or expectation, or in an informal manner. In a legal context, it often refers to events that are accidental or unforeseen, or to employment arrangements that are irregular, temporary, or not part of a formal, ongoing relationship.

• Imagine a homeowner who, while performing routine maintenance on their roof, accidentally dislodges a loose tile that falls and damages a neighbor's fence. This incident would be considered a casual occurrence because it was unforeseen, unplanned, and happened purely by chance during a standard activity, rather than being the result of deliberate action or negligence.

• A local restaurant occasionally hires an extra server for a busy Saturday night when their regular staff is insufficient. This individual is engaged in casual employment. Their work is irregular, temporary, and based on immediate availability for a particular shift, rather than being part of a permanent or regularly scheduled employment contract with set hours and benefits.