Define: Litigant

Litigant
Litigant
Quick Summary of Litigant

A litigant is an individual or entity involved in a lawsuit or legal proceeding, either as a plaintiff (the party bringing the lawsuit) or a defendant (the party being sued). Litigants may also include intervenors or third parties who join a lawsuit to assert their rights or interests. Litigants participate in legal proceedings by filing or responding to legal documents, presenting evidence, making arguments, and appearing in court hearings or trials. Their goal is to assert their rights, seek redress for grievances, or defend against claims brought against them. Litigants may be represented by attorneys or lawyers who advocate on their behalf and navigate the complexities of the legal process.

What is the dictionary definition of Litigant?
Dictionary Definition of Litigant

Any party to a lawsuit. This means plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, cross-complainant and cross-defendant, but not a witness or attorney.

  1. A party suing or being sued in a lawsuit, or otherwise calling upon the judicial process to determine the outcome of a suit.
  2. Disposed to litigate; contending in law; engaged in a lawsuit.
Full Definition Of Litigant

The litigant can be either the plaintiff or the defendant in a legal dispute who brings an action against another person. The word litigant is derived from a Latin word, litigare, which means “to dispute.” It is possible to have a number of claimants and defendants involved in a lawsuit, and litigants can be either individuals or organizations.

In a lawsuit, it is the plaintiff who takes legal action against the defendant to remedy some type of injustice or to receive compensation for an injury. The defendant is required to respond to the charges from the plaintiff and file a counterclaim.

Given the complexity, cost and time-consuming nature of our current judicial process many litigants are willing to use alternative dispute resolution techniques such as mediation to find a remedy to their dispute. Litigants who go to trial or mediate can either hire an attorney or represent themselves. Whether a litigant chooses to hire a lawyer or provide their own representation generally depends on the complexity of the legal case.

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Disclaimer

This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.

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