Who is defined as the “plaintiff” in a civil lawsuit?

In a civil lawsuit, the “plaintiff” is defined as the party who brings a lawsuit. This means that the plaintiff is the individual or group that initiates the legal action by filing a complaint or claim against another party, known as the defendant. The plaintiff seeks a legal remedy, which could involve monetary compensation or specific actions mandated by the court, based on grievances they have against the defendant.

This definition is crucial in civil law as it delineates the roles within a legal dispute: the plaintiff is the accuser, while the defendant is the one being accused. Understanding this distinction helps clarify the dynamics of a civil case and the burden of proof, which typically lies with the plaintiff. In many legal systems, the plaintiff must establish their claims by a preponderance of the evidence.

While the other options present roles that are relevant to a civil lawsuit—the party being sued (defendant), the judge presiding over the case, and the attorney representing the defendant—they do not embody the definition of the plaintiff. The plaintiff actively initiates the lawsuit and seeks to enforce their rights, which is a fundamental aspect of the civil litigation process.