Actual Controversy Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Actual Controversy.

Actual Controversy (noun):

This term in legal context refers to a real, ongoing disagreement between opposing sides that a court has the power to resolve. According to Article III of the U.S. Constitution, courts are required to hear cases that involve "actual controversies," meaning they cannot give advice on hypothetical situations, or deal with unresolved, moot, or already settled cases.