Lawsuits

A lawsuit is a civil legal action brought in a court of law by a plaintiff against a defendant to resolve a dispute or obtain legal remedies. In many jurisdictions, lawsuits concern civil claims rather than criminal prosecutions; criminal cases are brought by the state and carry different standards of proof and penalties. In a civil lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges that the defendant violated a legal right or caused harm and seeks relief such as monetary damages, an injunction, or a declaratory judgment. The initiating party is the plaintiff; the opposing party is the defendant. In civil matters, the burden of proof is typically by a preponderance of the evidence, though some claims may require higher certainty such as clear and convincing evidence.

Process: A case typically begins with filing a complaint or petition, followed by service on the defendant and an answer or motion to dismiss. The pretrial phase may include discovery, where parties exchange documents and information, as well as depositions and expert reports. Many cases are resolved by settlement, mediation, or arbitration before trial. If a trial occurs, it may be decided by a judge (bench trial) or a jury, with a verdict and a method for awarding relief. Judgments may be entered, enforced, and later appealed if a party believes an error occurred.

Types and remedies: Common civil claims include contract disputes, torts such as negligence, property and real estate issues, administrative challenges, and consumer or employment disputes. Class actions aggregate claims from many individuals with similar interests, while multidistrict litigation coordinates related cases across courts. Intellectual property disputes also arise in civil lawsuits. Practical considerations include statutes of limitations, jurisdiction and choice of law, legal costs and fee arrangements, and the availability of alternative dispute resolution such as mediation or arbitration.