lis pendens

noun | \ ˈlis-ˈpen-ˌdenz \ | lis pen·dens

1. : a pending suit

2. : a written notice of a pending suit involving property usually filed in the appropriate office (as a registry of deeds) — called also notice of pendency

3. a : the jurisdiction and control of the court over property involved in a pending suit

   b : a doctrine under which one purchasing an interest in property involved in a pending suit does so subject to the adjudication of the rights of the parties to the suit