resort to litigation

USAGE SUMMARY

"resort to litigation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to take legal action or bring a lawsuit in order to resolve a dispute or issue. Example: After several failed attempts at negotiation, they had to resort to litigation in order to settle their disagreement over the ownership of the company.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Beyond that, historians must resort to litigation.

The New York Times

The parties were not bound to resort to litigation.

Cornell University

While some conservative leaders say it is too soon to resort to litigation, others appear to support Mr. Jensen.

The New York Times

But it's a shame that shareholders must resort to litigation to compel directors to do what's right.

The New York Times

"The parties desire to resolve this matter without resort to litigation or any administrative proceeding of any sort," the agreement says.

The New York Times

Parties are willing to make small concessions to preserve a valuable long-term business relationship rather than immediately resort to litigation that destroys their relationship.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"The estate will negotiate vociferously for fair value, resorting to litigation where needed.

The New York Times

EBay, however, did not respond to their bid, and the founders resorted to litigation to scare away other potential buyers.

The New York Times - Tech

Knowing this in advance, parties will be more likely to settle their dispute without resorting to litigation.

Harvard University

And yes, he resorts to litigation if prodded; can't expect ramshackle bungalows and Victorians to defend themselves.

The New York Times

If, on the other hand, you conclude that your claim is worth more than the benefits from continuing a relationship, you may insist on your contractual rights to the point of resorting to litigation.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider if there are alternative dispute resolution methods that could be employed before choosing to "resort to litigation". This highlights a preference for amicable solutions.

Common error

Avoid using "resort to litigation" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "sue" or "take legal action" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resort to litigation" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of pursuing legal action as a final measure. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

22%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "resort to litigation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates taking legal action as a final option. Ludwig highlights its usability and correct usage. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in news and academic contexts. While "file a lawsuit" and "take legal action" are suitable alternatives, "resort to litigation" implies a sense of last resort, which may influence your word choice. When writing, consider less confrontational solutions first before needing to "resort to litigation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take legal action

Focuses on the act of initiating legal proceedings.

file a lawsuit

Emphasizes the act of submitting a formal complaint to the court.

initiate legal proceedings

A more formal way of saying "take legal action".

commence legal action

Similar to "initiate legal proceedings" but with a slightly stronger emphasis on beginning the process.

bring a case to court

Highlights the act of presenting a dispute before a judge.

pursue legal remedies

Focuses on seeking solutions through the legal system.

seek legal redress

Implies seeking compensation or justice through legal channels.

go to law

An older, more colloquial way of saying "take legal action".

have recourse to law

Suggests using the legal system as a last option.

litigate

A more concise, single-word alternative meaning to engage in legal proceedings.

FAQs

What does it mean to "resort to litigation"?

To "resort to litigation" means to take legal action or file a lawsuit to resolve a dispute, typically after other methods have failed.

When is it appropriate to "resort to litigation"?

It is appropriate to "resort to litigation" when all other attempts at resolving a conflict, such as negotiation or mediation, have been exhausted and a legal resolution is necessary.

What are some alternatives to "resort to litigation"?

Alternatives to "resort to litigation" include "negotiation", "mediation", "arbitration", and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Is "resort to litigation" the same as "file a lawsuit"?

While similar, "resort to litigation" implies that filing a lawsuit is a last option, whereas "file a lawsuit" simply describes the act of initiating legal action. You can also consider other alternatives to litigation.