term:

Lis Pendens

lis pendens n

[Latin]
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

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.