Historically known as lis pendens, a notice of pendency constructively gives notice of the ownership dispute to any potential thirdparty. Customer: I need to file a Lis Pendens.I have a lien on a commercial property in downtown Oakland, CA that is not performing. A lis pendens is a legal document filed in New York to give notice of a pending lawsuit involving a particular property. The filing process involves submitting the notice with the county clerk where the real estate is located. A lis pendens is the first filing made during the foreclosure process. Barron's Dictionary of Real Estate Terms defines Lis Pendens as Latin for suit pending. A notice of pendency, also known as lis pendens, is a provisional remedy available to litigants seeking a judgment that affects title to real property. Lis pendens is Latin for "suit pending. " A lis pendens is a notice in the recorder's office that is placed on the title of a house or piece of land.