ScienceJuly 8, 2026

litigant

/ˈlɪt.ɪ.ɡənt/

Definition

A person or organization that is involved in a lawsuit, either as the party bringing the case or the party being sued.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'litigantem', the present participle of 'litigare' (to dispute or quarrel), which combines 'lis' (lawsuit) and 'agere' (to perform or carry out). It entered English in the 17th century to describe those engaged in legal proceedings.

In the news

In the article, litigants—such as environmental organizations or individual plaintiffs—are described as needing to rethink their legal strategies based on how courts respond to their arguments regarding corporate climate accountability. Their success depends on presenting evidence that can hold companies responsible for Scope 3 emissions.

Scope 3 on Trial: What it Means For Corporate Climate Accountability

Read the full article ↗

The Equation - Union of Concerned Scientists

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