noun
lawsuit; court case; legal dispute
Refers to a matter that has escalated to a lawsuit or could become one. Often used in expressions like 訴訟沙汰になる (to end up in court).
See also: 裁判沙汰
隣人とのトラブルが訴訟沙汰になった。
The trouble with the neighbor ended up in a lawsuit.
こんな小さなことで訴訟沙汰は避けたい。
I want to avoid a court case over such a small matter.
裁判沙汰 is a broader term for any matter that goes to court, while 訴訟沙汰 specifically emphasizes a lawsuit (civil action).
Compound of 訴訟 (lawsuit) and 沙汰 (matter, affair). The suffix 沙汰 often indicates a troublesome or formal matter.