litigants
Courtroom opposing sides
Litigants are the parties in a lawsuit—those actively engaged in legal proceedings against each other.
The term covers both plaintiffs (who bring suit) and defendants (who respond to it): The judge urged the litigants to reach a settlement.
Anyone pursuing or defending a claim in court is a litigant.
Licensed legal representative
Judicial examination of claims
- judgeOne who decides
- juryLegal decision-making body
- verdictOfficial court decision
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
evidence · docket · gavel · bench · witness · cross-examination · objection · summons
Resolved dispute or colony
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- verdictOfficial court decision
- arbitrationNon-court binding dispute resolution
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
negotiation · consent decree · dismissal · award · damages · injunction · compromise · out-of-court
Opposition between parties
- controversyProlonged public disagreement
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
- claimStatement of ownership or truth
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
contention · adversarial · matter · case · action · lawsuit · legal battle · showdown
One asserting entitlement
- complainantOne who lodges grievance
- petitionerOne who formally requests
- appellantOne who appeals
- accuserOne who alleges wrongdoing
injured party · grievant · damages · restitution · complaint · filing · cause of action · civil suit
Charged with wrongdoing
- respondentOne who gives answers
- defenseProtection against harm
- counselExpert guidance offered
- pleaFormal request or defense
acquittal · exoneration · liable · answer · counterclaim · cross-claim · motion to dismiss · summary judgment
attorney
Licensed legal representative
solicitor · advocate · pro se · retainer · brief · paralegal · law firm
trial
Judicial examination of claims
testimony · evidence · docket · gavel · bench · witness · cross-examination · objection · summons · subpoena
settlement
Resolved dispute or colony
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- verdictOfficial court decision
- arbitrationNon-court binding dispute resolution
mediation · negotiation · consent decree · dismissal · award · damages · injunction · compromise · out-of-court · stipulation
conflict
Opposition between parties
- controversyProlonged public disagreement
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
- claimStatement of ownership or truth
disagreement · contention · adversarial · matter · case · action · lawsuit · legal battle · showdown
claimant
One asserting entitlement
- complainantOne who lodges grievance
- petitionerOne who formally requests
- appellantOne who appeals
accuser · injured party · grievant · damages · restitution · complaint · filing · cause of action · civil suit · relief
accused
Charged with wrongdoing
- respondentOne who gives answers
- defenseProtection against harm
- counselExpert guidance offered
plea · acquittal · exoneration · liable · answer · counterclaim · cross-claim · motion to dismiss · summary judgment · settlement
- litigation partiesparties, plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners, respondents
- peoplepeople, persons, person, individuals, humans
- competitorscompetitor, contestant, competitors, rivals, opponents
- courtsfamily court, civil court, district court, criminal court, circuit court
- requestersrequester, asker, askers, seeker, seekers
- Indian Courtshigh court, district court, civil court, criminal court, family court
litigantsjudges
Legal proceeding overseers
jurors · arbitrators · mediators · magistrates · court officers
litigantssettlers
Those who establish homes
peacemakers · conciliators · third parties · compromisers · bystanders