Litigation
Litigation in law refers to actions taken by two opposing parties with the goal of enforcing or defending a legal right. In most cases, the parties settle their disputes by reaching an agreement, but they may also go to court and have the final resolution decided by a jury or judge.
Litigation entails the filing and pursuit of a lawsuit, not just the filing of the lawsuit itself. Litigants include both plaintiffs (the parties who file the lawsuit) and defendants.