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Law vocabulary · Lawsuits & Procedure

Lawsuit

Meaning in law, with examples

/ˈlɔːsuːt/nounCore term

In law, lawsuit means: A claim that one person or company brings against another in a civil court, usually asking for money or for an order to stop something.

In Turkish: dava, hukuk davası

How it is used

Mainly American and used for civil, not criminal, cases. You 'file' or 'bring' a lawsuit against someone, and a lawsuit can be 'settled' or 'dismissed'. British lawyers more often say 'claim' or 'action'.

Example sentences

  1. The tenants filed a lawsuit against the landlord over the broken heating.

  2. The lawsuit was settled before it reached trial.

Common collocations

  • file a lawsuit
  • bring a lawsuit
  • settle a lawsuit
  • class-action lawsuit
  • face a lawsuit
  • sueTo start a legal claim against a person or organisation in a civil court, usually to get money for harm or loss they caused.
  • caseA legal dispute that a court deals with, or an earlier court decision that lawyers refer to; also the facts and arguments that one side presents.
  • claimA formal demand for money, property or another remedy, especially one made in court; also a statement that something is true which has not yet been proved.
  • plaintiffThe person or company that starts a civil case in court against someone else and asks the court for a remedy.
  • settlementAn agreement that ends a legal dispute without a court decision, usually with one side paying an agreed amount to the other.

More terms: Lawsuits & Procedure

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.