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Litigating Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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litigating

[ˈlɪtɪˌɡeɪtɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

legal process

Litigating refers to the process of taking a dispute or case to a court of law. It involves legal proceedings, where one party sues another. This process often includes filing documents, attending court sessions, and presenting evidence. Litigating can be time-consuming and expensive, often leading to a resolution through a judge's ruling. It is typically the means through which legal rights will be enforced or protected.

Synonyms

contest, prosecute, sue.

Examples of usage

  • The company is litigating against the former employee.
  • She has been litigating her case for over a year.
  • They decided to litigate the matter instead of settling.
  • The firm specializes in litigating commercial disputes.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Legal System

  • Litigating can involve multiple stages, including pre-trial, trial, and post-trial processes.
  • The majority of cases litigated in courts are civil disputes, such as contract disagreements or personal injury claims.
  • Most civil litigation cases settle before reaching a trial, with parties agreeing on terms to avoid the uncertainty of court.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In some cultures, litigation is viewed as a last resort, preferring mediation and negotiation to resolve disputes.
  • The prevalence of litigation varies by country; highly litigious societies, such as the United States, often see numerous lawsuits each year.
  • In countries with less formal legal systems, community-based dispute resolution methods are more common than litigation.

Psychological Aspects

  • People often litigate due to a sense of justice or the desire to assert their rights in conflict situations.
  • The stress and uncertainty of litigating can have psychological effects on individuals involved in legal disputes.
  • Studies show that those who experience court disputes may develop long-term anxiety related to legal systems.

Pop Culture

  • Litigation has been a popular theme in movies and TV shows, showcasing courtroom drama and the intricacies of the legal system.
  • Fictional lawyers in series often depict the litigation process as glamorous, although real-life cases can be quite different.
  • High-profile litigations, such as celebrity lawsuits, attract media attention and influence public perception of the legal world.

Origin of 'litigating'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'litigate' comes from the Latin word 'litigatus,' meaning to dispute or engage in a lawsuit.
  • The first known use of litigate in English dates back to the 14th century.
  • Litigation is often used as a formal process for resolving legal disagreements involving various types of conflicts.

The term 'litigate' has its roots in the Latin word 'litigare,' meaning 'to dispute, to quarrel.' The word evolved through Old French as 'litiguer' before entering the English language in the late 14th century. In the legal context, litigating began to take on specific meanings relating to the judicial system and the formal process of presenting a case in court. Over the centuries, the concept of litigation has expanded to encompass various aspects of the legal process, including pre-trial motions, discovery, settlements, and trial proceedings. Today, litigation is a fundamental process in the legal system, often representing the last resort for resolving disputes when negotiation or mediation fails.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,939, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.