litigant n : (law) a party to a lawsuit; someone involved in litigation; "plaintiffs and defendants are both litigants" [syn: litigator]

Litigant \Lit"i*gant\, a. [L. litigans, -antis, p. pr. of litigare: cf. F. litigant. See Litigate.] Disposed to litigate; contending in law; engaged in a lawsuit; as, the parties litigant. --Ayliffe.

Litigant \Lit"i*gant\, n. A person engaged in a lawsuit.

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A lawsuit or (less commonly) "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred damages as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint. If the plaintiff is successful, judgment will be given in the plaintiff's favor, and a variety of court orders may be issued to enforce a right, award damages, or impose an injunction to prevent an act or compel an act. A declaratory judgment may be issued to prevent future legal disputes.

A lawsuit may involve dispute resolution of private law issues between individuals, business entities or non-profit organizations. A lawsuit may also enable the state to be treated as if it were a private party in a civil case, as plaintiff or defendant regarding an injury, or may provide the state with a civil cause of action to enforce certain laws.

• Vexatious litigant to pay $11k costs
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• Michigan judge faces misconduct charges for affair with litigant
  ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 22 (UPI) -- A Michigan judge accused of misconduct testified at a hearing he lusted after a woman who had a child support case before him. Read more on this news related to 'Litigant'
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  Hoddle street mass murderer Julian Knight wants to take court action against Corrections Victoria after he was refused an electronic gaming console. Read more on this news related to 'Litigant'