Does Complaint Mean Plaintiff?

Complaint: The complaint is the legal action in which one party (the plaintiff) sues another party (the defendant). Federal civil cases begin with the filing of a complaint. ... In most cases, the basic pleading for the plaintiff is the Complaint and the basic pleading for the defendant is the Answer.

Is complainant the same as plaintiff?

A plaintiff (Π in legal shorthand) is the party who initiates a lawsuit (also known as an action) before a court. ... In criminal cases, the prosecutor brings the case against the defendant, but the key complaining party is often called the "complainant".

What is a complaint in legal terms?

Definition. The pleading that starts a case. Essentially, a document that sets forth a jurisdictional basis for the court's power, the plaintiff's cause of action, and a demand for judicial relief.