How is 'litigation' defined?

Litigation is defined as the process of resolving disputes through legal action. This includes all the procedures involved in bringing a case before a court, ranging from the initial filing of the complaint to the final judgment and potential appeals. Litigation typically involves various steps such as discovery, trial, and potentially an appeal, and it occurs within the formal judicial system.

The other options represent different concepts within legal terminology. A formal written agreement between parties refers to a contract, which outlines the terms of an agreement and is applicable in numerous legal contexts but does not pertain to disputes directly being resolved through legal action. The act of filing an appeal, mentioned in another option, is a specific step that occurs only after a court ruling, and it does not encompass the entire process of litigation. Lastly, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a method used to settle disputes outside of traditional court litigation, employing techniques like mediation and arbitration, which fundamentally differs from litigation itself.