A form of public notice filed against certain lands setting forth that court action has been instituted is known as a(n)

A lis pendens is a legal term that translates to "suit pending" in Latin. It serves as a public notice that there is a pending lawsuit concerning the title or property rights of a particular piece of real estate. When a lis pendens is filed, it informs any potential purchasers or interested parties that the property is subject to a pending legal action, which may affect ownership or rights in the property.

This mechanism is crucial because it protects the interests of the party that has initiated the lawsuit. By filing a lis pendens, the party ensures that their claim is recognized publicly, and it prevents the property from being sold or transferred without the new buyer being aware of the potential legal consequences.

The other options pertain to different legal concepts that do not serve the same function. For example, a notice of default relates to a borrower failing to meet the terms of their loan, and it indicates that foreclosure proceedings may be on the horizon. Meanwhile, a declaration of intent is typically a document outlining an individual's plans or intentions, and a title claim usually refers to a claim regarding ownership of property rights, not necessarily linked to pending litigation. Thus, the characteristics and purpose of a lis pendens make it the most accurate answer in this context.