lawsuit

/ˌlɔˈsut/

/ˈlɔsut/

Other forms: lawsuits

A lawsuit is the result of a disagreement that ends up in court. A long-running feud between neighbors about a flock of chickens and a barking dog might eventually end up as a lawsuit.

If someone files a lawsuit against you, you become a defendant, while they are the plaintiff. Lawsuits are always part of civil law, rather than criminal cases, involving something some kind of financial or personal loss. When you're embroiled in a lawsuit, you'll probably need to hire a lawyer. This legal term dates from the 17th century.

Definitions of lawsuit

1. noun

   a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy
   synonyms: case, causa, cause, suit

   types:

   civil suit

   a lawsuit alleging violations of civil law by the defendant

   class action, class-action suit

   a lawsuit brought by a representative member of a large group of people on behalf of all members of the group

   countersuit

   a legal proceeding brought against someone who has sued you

   criminal suit

   a lawsuit alleging violations of criminal law by the defendant

   moot

   a hypothetical case that law students argue as an exercise

   bastardy proceeding, paternity suit

   a lawsuit filed to determine the father of a child born out of wedlock (and to provide for the support of the child once paternity is determined)

   type of:

   legal proceeding, proceeding, proceedings

   (law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked