controversy

An actual dispute between individuals who seek judicial resolution of their grievances that have arisen from a conflict of their alleged legal rights.

A controversy describes only civil litigation, which is intended to protect and enforce private rights. In contrast, the term case applies to both a civil action and a criminal prosecution, designed to enforce and safeguard the rights of the general public.

The judicial power of a court to provide redress of wrongs exists only when issues arise in a given situation that can be categorized as a case or controversy.

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controversy n. 1) disagreement, argument, or quarrel. 2) a dispute, which must be an actual contested issue between parties in order to be heard by a court. The United States Supreme Court particularly requires an "actual controversy" and avoids giving "what if" advisory opinions. (See: advisory opinion, collusion)

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controversy (Argument), noun altercatio, antagonism, argumentation, brawl, break, broil, conflict, conflict of opinion, contention, contest, controversia, debate, difference of opinion, disaccord, disagreement, disceptatio, disceptation, discongruity, discordance, disharmony, disputation, dispute, dissuted point, disputed question, dissension, dissidence, disunion, disunity, divergence, divergent opinions, embroilment, failure to agree, feud, friction, impugnation, incongruence, inconsistency, inharmoniousness, inharmony, jangle, lack of concord, opposition, polemics, quarrel, question at issue, rupture, set-to, split, squabble, strife, subject of dispute, unconformity, variance, wrangle
Associated concepts: arbitrable controversy, matters in connroversy, submission of a controversy

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controversy (Lawsuit), noun action, case, case at law, cause, contest, judicial contest, legal action, legal arrument, legal proceeding, legal process, litigation, matter for judgment, process in law, suit in law
Associated concepts: actual present controversy, amount in controversy, case or controversy, controversies in bankkuptcy, controversy arising under Constitution, controversy arising under laws of the United States, controversy at law or in equity, controversy between citizens of a state and a foreign country, controversy between citizens of different states, controversy over claim, justiciable controversy, real controversy, settlement of controversy in bankruptcy, subbect of controversy, sum in controversy

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See also: altercation, argument, belligerency, case, conflict, contention, contest, contradiction, difference, disaccord, disagreement, discord, disparity, dispute, dissension, dissidence, feud, fight, lawsuit, opposition, rift, strife, struggle, variance

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CONTROVERSY. A dispute arising between two or more persons. It differs from case, which includes all suits criminal as well as civil; whereas controversy is a civil and not a criminal proceeding. 2 Dall. R. 419, 431, 432; 1 Tuck. Bl. Com. App. 420, 421; Story, Const. Sec. 1668.
     2. By the constitution of the United States the judicial power shall extend to controversies to which the United States shall be a party. Art. 2, 1. The meaning to be attached to the word controversy in the constitution, is that above given.