litigant
Lawsuit participant actively
A litigant is a party to a lawsuit—someone who sues or is sued.
The term covers both plaintiffs and defendants: Both litigants agreed to settle out of court.
In legal contexts, litigant distinguishes the actual parties from their attorneys, witnesses, and other participants in the case.
Civil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
- claimantOne asserting entitlement
- complainantOne who lodges grievance
- petitionerOne who formally requests
respondent · appellant · appellee · party · grievant · accuser · cross-claimant · third-party
Judicial examination of claims
- judgeOne who decides
- juryLegal decision-making body
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- witnessOne who attests
evidence · verdict · hearing · cross-examination · objection · bench · docket · gavel
Container or instance
- suitMatched formal garments
- claimStatement of ownership or truth
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
complaint · motion · brief · filing · pleading · discovery · subpoena · injunction
One who contends against
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- disputantOne who argues
- contenderOne competing seriously
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
antagonist · rival · other side · opposition
plaintiff
Civil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
- claimantOne asserting entitlement
- complainantOne who lodges grievance
petitioner · respondent · appellant · appellee · party · grievant · accuser · cross-claimant · third-party · pro se
trial
Judicial examination of claims
witness · evidence · verdict · hearing · cross-examination · objection · bench · docket · gavel · bailiff
case
Container or instance
- suitMatched formal garments
- claimStatement of ownership or truth
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
allegation · complaint · motion · brief · filing · pleading · discovery · subpoena · injunction · settlement
opponent
One who contends against
challenger · antagonist · rival · other side · opposition
attorney
Licensed legal representative
barrister · solicitor · legal aid · pro bono · public defender
- courtroomjudge, jury, oath taking, lawyer, bench
- lawlaw, lawyer, lawyers, attorney, attorneys
- court rolesjudge, juror, plaintiff, defendant, prosecutor
- claimantsclaimant, plaintiff, petitioner, complainant, appellant
- litigantsplaintiff, defendant, respondent, petitioner, claimant
- opponentsopponent, adversary, rival, foe, enemy
litigantjudge
One who decides
arbiter · arbitrator · magistrate · justice · mediator
litigantally
Supportive partner
partner · collaborator · friend · allies · colleague
- criminal litigationLegal action against accused
- divorce litigationLawsuit ending a marriage
- litigation costsMoney spent on lawsuits
- civil litigationNon-criminal court proceedings
- frivolous litigationGroundless legal action
- litigation lawyerCounsel specializing in lawsuits
litigation, litigator, litigate, litigants, litigated, litigations, litigating, litigators, litigable