Litigants Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
⚖️
Add to dictionary
litigants
[ˈlɪt.ɪ.ɡənt ]
Definition
Context #1 | Noun
legal dispute
Litigants are the parties involved in a lawsuit or legal dispute, typically seeking a legal remedy or seeking to defend against legal claims.
Synonyms
defendants, parties, plaintiffs.
Examples of usage
- The litigants in the case were unable to reach a settlement.
- The judge instructed both litigants to present their arguments in court.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Legal System
- Litigants can be individuals, businesses, or government entities seeking legal remedies.
- In many legal systems, both sides are called litigants: the plaintiff who sues and the defendant who responds.
- Support systems exist for self-represented litigants, helping them navigate court without a lawyer.
Psychology
- Litigants often experience stress due to the adversarial nature of court proceedings.
- Empathy plays a critical role; litigants who can present their case with understanding of the other's perspective may fare better.
- Public perception can influence how litigants are viewed in court, impacting their emotional state throughout the process.
Pop Culture
- Litigants often appear in courtroom dramas, showcasing the emotional stakes involved in legal disputes.
- Fictional portrayals, like in the show 'Law & Order', might exaggerate conflicts between litigants for dramatic effect.
- Movies like 'A Few Good Men' highlight the moral dilemmas faced by litigants and the importance of justice.
Education
- University law programs often include practical experience with real litigants to teach students about courtroom dynamics.
- Mock trials allow students to act as litigants, helping them develop advocacy skills.
- Understanding the role of litigants is crucial for anyone studying law to grasp the real-life implications of legal disputes.
Origin of 'litigants'
Main points about word origin
- The term originates from the Latin word 'litigare,' which means 'to dispute or quarrel'.
- It combines 'litigi-', meaning 'lawsuit,' with '-ant', indicating one who performs an action.
- The word has been part of English legal terminology since the 15th century.
The word 'litigant' originated from the Latin word 'litigant-' (stem of litigans), present participle of litigare 'to dispute, carry on a lawsuit', equivalent to liti- (stem of lis) 'lawsuit' + agere 'to drive, conduct'. The term has been used in legal contexts for centuries to refer to parties involved in legal proceedings.