Right of Action vs. Cause of Action


MAIN DIFFERENCE: A cause of action refers to the delict or wrong committed by the defendants, whereas right of action refers to the right of the plaintiff to institute the action.

RE: PLEADINGS: A cause of action is determined by the pleadings; whereas a right of action is determined by the substantive law.
RE: BARRED ACTION: A right of action may be taken away by the running of the statute of limitations, by estoppel or other circumstances which do not at all affect the cause of action (Marquez v. Varela).