Litigation is where a lawsuit or legal proceedings, is a civil action brought in a court of law. This is where a plaintiff, i.e., a party who claims to have incurred loss because of a defendant’s action, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff’s action proceedings or application proceedings. If the plaintiff is successful, judgment will be given in the plaintiff’s favour usually with his legal costs being recovered as well. Court judgments and court orders may vary in effect and “relief” as we usually call it, may come in various forms depending on what the litigant set out to achieve.

Litigious proceedings, whether by application (by affidavit) or action (via summons) may involve dispute resolution of private or public law issues between individuals, business entities or non-profit organisations. Litigation may also be brought against the state (or government) and be treated as if it were a private party in a civil case, as plaintiff or defendant regarding an injury or damages. This may also provide the state with a civil cause of action to enforce certain laws.