Legal Definitions - litis dominium

LITIS DOMINIUM

Litis dominium is a Latin term that means "ownership of a lawsuit." It refers to the right of a party to control and direct a legal action, including the decision to settle or go to trial.

For example, in a divorce case, each spouse has litis dominium over the issues of property division, spousal support, and child custody. This means that each spouse has the right to make decisions about these issues and to direct the course of the litigation.

In a personal injury case, the injured party has litis dominium over the claim for damages. They have the right to decide whether to settle the case or take it to trial, and they have the final say in any settlement negotiations.

Litis dominium is an important concept in civil litigation because it determines who has the power to make decisions about a legal action. The party with litis dominium has the right to control the case and make strategic decisions about how to proceed. This can have a significant impact on the outcome of the case, as well as the time and expense involved in the litigation.