"Civil action" redirects here. For the book, see A Civil Action. For the film, see A Civil Action (film).
"Litigators" redirects here. For the novel by John Grisham, see The Litigators.
"Suing" redirects here. For other uses, see Sue (disambiguation) and Lawsuit (disambiguation).
The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate.(November 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Civil procedure in the United States
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Doctrines of civil procedure
Jurisdiction
Subject-matter (Federal question
Diversity
Supplemental
Removal)
Personal (In personam
In rem
Quasi in rem)
Venue
Change of venue
Forum non conveniens
Pleadings
Complaint (Cause of action
Case Information Statement
Class action (2005 Act) )
Demurrer
Answer (affirmative defense)
Reply
Counterclaim
Crossclaim
Joinder
Indispensable party
Impleader
Interpleader
Intervention
Other motions
Pretrial procedure
Discovery
Initial conference
Interrogatories
Depositions
Request for admissions
Request for production
Resolution without trial
Default judgment
Summary judgment
Voluntary dismissal
Involuntary dismissal
Settlement
Trial
Parties
plaintiff
defendant
Pro se
Jury (voir dire)
Burden of proof
Judgment (As a matter of law (JMOL)
Renewed JMOL
Notwithstanding verdict (JNOV)
Motion to set aside
De novo (new trial) )
Remedy (Injunction
Damages
Attorney's fee (American rule
English rule)
Declaratory judgment)
Appeal
Mandamus
Certiorari
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A lawsuit is a proceeding by one or more parties (the plaintiff or claimant) against one or more parties (the defendant) in a civil court of law.[1] The archaic term "suit in law" is found in only a small number of laws still in effect today. The term "lawsuit" is used with respect to a civil action brought by a plaintiff (a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions) who requests a legal remedy or equitable remedy from a court. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint or else risk default judgment. If the plaintiff is successful, judgment is entered in favor of the defendant. A variety of court orders may be issued in connection with or as part of the judgment to enforce a right, award damages or restitution, or impose a temporary or permanent injunction to prevent an act or compel an act. A declaratory judgment may be issued to prevent future legal disputes.
A lawsuit may involve resolution of disputes involving issues of private law between individuals, business entities or non-profit organizations. A lawsuit may also involve issues of public law in the sense that the state is treated as if it were a private party in a civil case, either as a plaintiff with a civil cause of action to enforce certain laws, or as a defendant in actions contesting the legality of the state's laws or seeking monetary damages for injuries caused by agents of the state.
Conducting a civil action is called litigation. The plaintiffs and defendants are called litigants and the attorneys representing them are called litigators.[2] The term litigation may also refer to the conducting of criminal actions (see criminal procedure).
^Brian A. Garner, ed. (2014). "Suit". Black's Law Dictionary (10th ed.). West.
^Abram, Lisa L. (2000). "Civil Litigation". The Official Guide to Legal Specialties. Chicago: National Association for Law Placement, Harcourt Legal & Professional Publications. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-15-900391-6.
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