Lawsuit — in plain language

Plain language

a case one person or company files in court to settle a dispute or get money or relief from another

• a court case
• a legal claim filed in court
• taking someone to court

What to watch for

• A lawsuit is a civil court case between parties, not a criminal prosecution by the government; a plain rewrite should not imply criminal charges.
• Filing a lawsuit is only the start of a dispute, not a decision; do not imply the person who sued has already won.
• 'Lawsuit' is the everyday term for what lawyers call an 'action' or 'civil action'; the words mean the same thing, so keep them consistent in a plain version.

Civil, Not Criminal. A lawsuit is a civil dispute between private parties, not a criminal prosecution. The government does not bring a lawsuit to punish a crime; instead a person or company files it to recover money or get a court order. A plain rewrite should not make a lawsuit sound like criminal charges or jail.

Filing Is the Beginning, Not the End. Starting a lawsuit only opens the dispute — it does not decide it. The party who sues has not yet won anything; the case still has to play out. A plain version should keep that filing a lawsuit is a first step, so readers do not assume the outcome is already settled.

Common Misunderstandings by Non-Lawyers.

• "A lawsuit means someone is being charged with a crime." (No — a lawsuit is a civil case between private parties, not a criminal prosecution.)
• "If someone files a lawsuit, they've already won." (Wrong — filing only starts the case; the dispute still has to be decided.)
• "A 'lawsuit' and an 'action' are different things." (They aren't — 'action' or 'civil action' is just the formal term for a lawsuit.)

Legal definition

A case that one party — the plaintiff — files in court against another party — the defendant — to resolve a dispute, usually seeking money or a court order requiring the other side to do or stop doing something. A lawsuit is a civil matter between private parties (people, businesses, or organizations), as opposed to a criminal case brought by the government. Filing the lawsuit, typically by submitting a document called a complaint, only begins the process; the dispute is then worked out through steps like exchanging information, negotiation, and possibly a trial, and either side may ultimately win or lose. Lawyers often call a lawsuit an "action" or "civil action."

Examples

Where you'll see it

• filing a civil case
• disputes over contracts or injuries
• demand letters threatening suit
• settlement negotiations

Related terms

• plaintiff
• defendant
• cause of action
• complaint
• civil case

Word details

Pronunciation

LAW-soot

Part of speech

noun

Origin

English — from 'law' + 'suit' (a pursuit or following); the pursuit of a claim through the courts

Domains

civil procedure, litigation, tort law, contract law

Frequency

very common

Formality

low