litige

Litige is a French noun meaning dispute or litigation. In legal contexts, it denotes a conflict between two or more parties that may require resolution by a court, a tribunal, or an arbitral forum. The term is used across civil, administrative, and commercial matters to describe disagreements that may be subject to judicial or quasi-judicial decision.

Scope and types: Litiges arise from breaches of contract, property disputes, personal injury, employment relationships, intellectual property conflicts, and challenges to administrative decisions, among others. In everyday language, it refers to any disagreement likely to be decided by law. In jurisdictional usage, “procès” often designates the trial itself, while arbitration and other forms of alternate dispute resolution (ADR) offer non-judicial means of resolution.

Process: The lifecycle of a litige typically begins with a claim or complaint and a response from the other party. Depending on the legal system, the process may include written pleadings, evidence gathering, hearings, and the issuance of a judgment or ruling. Civil law systems tend to be more inquisitorial, whereas common law systems emphasize an adversarial approach. Many jurisdictions promote early negotiation, mediation, or arbitration to settle disputes outside court.

Outcomes: Resolutions may provide damages or compensation, injunctions, specific performance, or annulment of agreements. The result of a litige affects the parties’ rights and obligations, incurs costs, and can have broader reputational implications. Appeals and enforcement procedures may follow the initial decision.