(n.) The act or process of litigating; a suit at law; a judicial contest.

Kilkenny cats action altercation apologetics apologia apology argument argumentation bicker bickering case casuistry cat-and-dog life cause cause in court combat conflict contention contentiousness contest contestation controversy cut and thrust debate defense disputation dispute enmity fighting flyting hassle hostility hubbub judicial process lawsuit legal action legal case legal proceedings legal process legal remedy logomachy paper war passage of arms polemic polemics proceedings prosecution quarrel quarreling quarrelsomeness rhubarb scrapping set-to squabbling strife struggle suit suit at law verbal engagement war war of words warfare words wrangling