Litigation: meaning, definitions and examples

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litigation

 

[ ˌlɪt.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legal proceedings

Litigation refers to the process of taking legal action, typically through the court system, to resolve a dispute between parties. It involves the formal presentation of arguments, evidence, and legal reasoning to a judge or jury.

Synonyms

lawsuit, legal action, legal dispute.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
litigation

Used in a broad, formal sense to describe the entire legal process of taking legal action in court. Often used by legal professionals.

  • The company faced years of litigation before the case was finally resolved.
  • She decided to pursue litigation to seek compensation for the damages.
legal action

A general term used to describe any formal steps taken to enforce or defend legal rights, often used in the broader context of seeking justice or resolving disputes.

  • They are considering legal action to prevent the construction of the new factory.
  • Legal action might be necessary if the parties cannot reach an agreement.
lawsuit

Refers to a specific case of legal action filed by one party against another in a court of law. Commonly used by the general public.

  • He filed a lawsuit against his former employer for wrongful termination.
  • The lawsuit between the two companies has attracted a lot of media attention.
legal dispute

Describes a disagreement involving legal rights that is usually headed towards litigation. It is often used in the preliminary stages before formal actions are taken.

  • The legal dispute over the property has been ongoing for several years.
  • They entered into a legal dispute regarding the terms of the contract.

Examples of usage

  • Many companies try to avoid litigation by settling disputes out of court.
  • The litigation process can be time-consuming and costly.
  • Her lawyer advised her to pursue litigation against the company for breach of contract.

Translations

Translations of the word "litigation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 litigação

🇮🇳 मुकदमा

🇩🇪 Rechtsstreit

🇮🇩 litigasi

🇺🇦 судовий процес

🇵🇱 proces sądowy

🇯🇵 訴訟

🇫🇷 litige

🇪🇸 litigio

🇹🇷 dava

🇰🇷 소송

🇸🇦 دعوى قضائية

🇨🇿 soudní spor

🇸🇰 súdny spor

🇨🇳 诉讼

🇸🇮 sodni postopek

🇮🇸 málarekstur

🇰🇿 сот процесі

🇬🇪 სასამართლო პროცესი

🇦🇿 məhkəmə işi

🇲🇽 litigio

Etymology

The term 'litigation' originated from the Latin word 'litigatio', which means a dispute or controversy. In ancient Rome, litigation was a common method of resolving legal conflicts. Over time, the concept of litigation evolved, and it became a structured legal process in modern legal systems. Today, litigation plays a crucial role in the justice system, allowing individuals and organizations to seek legal remedies for their grievances.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,626, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.