litig-, litiga-, litigat- +

(Latin: carry on a legal suit, lawsuit; quarrel, contention)

litagare, litem agere
Latin for to litigate; that is, to carry on a legal suit (litem agere), either as a plaintiff or a defendant.

To claim or to dispute by court action, to test or to try the validity of a claim by legal action.

1. Someone who is involved in a disagreement that is being examined in a court of law: "It's possible that a litigant will find that his or her case will fit into two or three legal categories."
2. A person who is involved in a lawsuit or who is suing another person or is being sued by someone.
litigaphobia (s) (noun) (no plural)
An abnormal anxiety about being sued or or lawsuits: Jack, who was quite poor and having litigaphobia, was not only terrified of lawyers, but also feared any kind of litigation procedures where he would have to pay money, which he didn't have, or even have to go to jail!
litigate, litigates, litigating, litigated (verb forms)
1. To engage in legal proceedings: "The company's unwillingness to make a deal increased her desire to litigate."
2. To institute legal proceedings against someone or an organization; to file a suit against: "They agreed to litigate all disputes in the court tomorrow."
3. Etymology: from the early 17th century, from Latin litigat-, past participle of litigare, lit-, "lawsuit" + agere, "to drive".
litigation (s), litigations (pl)
litigation, mitigation
litigation (LIT i gay" shuhn) (noun)
A contested legal case before the courts: Alisa was an exceptional lawyer who specialized in litigation in trials.
mitigation (MITI gay" shuhn) (noun)
The act of making something, usually a crime, less harsh or serious, or not as painful: During the conference, the two lawyers agreed to the mitigation of the sentence of the court.

The mitigation of the sentence by the judge, from life in prison to time served for the accused, brought an end to any further litigation.

litigator (s), litigators (pl)
A lawyer, or lawyers, who specialize in litigation; usually, an alternate term for for "trial lawyers".

She is a famous and successful litigator."

1. Inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or to disagree; even to engage in law suits: "She had a litigious and acrimonious attitude instead of trying to work things out with negotiations."
2. Referring to a person who constantly brings or who prolongs legal actions; particularly when the legal maneuvers are unnecessary or unfounded.

Such people often enjoy legal battles, the controversy, the courtroom, and the spotlight; so, they use the courts to punish enemies, to seek profits, and to pursue minor issues which do not deserve judicial attention.

3. Etymology: from the late 14th century, "fond of disputes", from Latin litigiosus "contentious, quarrelsome"; from litigium, "dispute, strife" which is related to litigare, "to dispute, to quarrel, to strive," from litem, "lawsuit, dispute, quarrel, strife" + root of agere, "to drive, to conduct".
litigious paranoia
Paranoia in which the patient institutes or threatens to institute legal action because of an imagined persecution.
1. A reference to being excessively ready to go to law.
2. Of or relating to litigation; that is, inclined to or showing an inclination to dispute to disagree, even to quickly engage in law suits instead of trying to negotiate an agreement.
1. A strong inclination to dispute or to disagree with others; especially, through civil law suits. 2. A disposition to engage in or to carry on lawsuits or an inclination to be argumentative.