litigant

A litigant is a person or organization that participates in a lawsuit before a court or tribunal. The term encompasses both sides of a dispute—the party who initiates the action (the plaintiff or claimant) and the party against whom the action is brought (the defendant or respondent)—as well as other participants who may have standing in the proceeding, such as intervenors or cross-claimants. The word is used in civil procedure to describe the actors in litigation rather than the merits of the case.

Etymology: from Latin litigans, the present participle of litigare meaning "to contend, dispute." Related terms include litigator, a lawyer who specializes in litigation. In common usage, a litigant is neutral regarding the strength of the claim and does not imply success or fault.

In practice, litigants have procedural rights and duties, including the right to be heard, to present evidence, to be represented by counsel, to file motions, and to comply with court orders. They must follow applicable rules of procedure, meet deadlines, and may be subject to sanctions for non-compliance. The status of a litigant can change during a case, for example, if a party is dismissed, if a claim is resolved, or if the matter proceeds to appeal.