What is a lawsuit?

A lawsuit is defined as a legal action that takes place between parties within a court setting. It involves one party, known as the plaintiff, filing a complaint against another party, known as the defendant, seeking a legal remedy. This remedy often involves compensatory damages or a specific action that the court can enforce. Lawsuits are formal proceedings that follow procedural rules, allowing for evidence presentation, witness testimonies, and legal representation, ultimately culminating in a ruling or judgment by a judge or jury.

The nature of a lawsuit distinguishes it from other conflict resolution methods such as informal negotiations or mediation processes, which typically involve little to no formal legal structure and are often more collaborative in nature. While a disagreement between friends may lead to a lawsuit, it is not inherently a lawsuit itself, as lawsuits are formally launched through legal channels designed to resolve disputes according to law.