What does it mean to litigate?

What does it mean to litigate?

• A. Take a dispute to a court of law; file a lawsuit.
• B. Settle a dispute out of court.
• C. Enforce a judgment.
• D. Offer mediation.

Answer: (A)

Litigation means taking a dispute to a court of law to obtain a binding decision through the judicial process. It typically begins when a party files a lawsuit, and then the case moves through formal steps like pleadings, service, discovery, motions, and, if needed, a trial where a judge or jury decides the outcome. This distinguishes it from settling a dispute out of court through negotiation, or from mediation, which are attempts to resolve the issue without a court decision. It also differs from enforcing a judgment, which happens after a court has already issued a ruling and you’re seeking to collect or enforce what was decided. So, the essence of litigating is pursuing a formal legal action within the court system to resolve the dispute.

Litigation means taking a dispute to a court of law to obtain a binding decision through the judicial process. It typically begins when a party files a lawsuit, and then the case moves through formal steps like pleadings, service, discovery, motions, and, if needed, a trial where a judge or jury decides the outcome. This distinguishes it from settling a dispute out of court through negotiation, or from mediation, which are attempts to resolve the issue without a court decision. It also differs from enforcing a judgment, which happens after a court has already issued a ruling and you’re seeking to collect or enforce what was decided. So, the essence of litigating is pursuing a formal legal action within the court system to resolve the dispute.