From Anglo-French pleintif, meaning complaining or making a complaint, related to plaint, an expression of complaint. The word originally overlapped with plaintive, but in modern legal English it became the noun for the party who complains to the court in a civil action.
What does plaintiff mean?
A plaintiff is the party that starts a civil lawsuit and asks the court for a legal remedy against a defendant.
Is a plaintiff the same as a defendant?
No. The plaintiff brings the case, while the defendant responds to the claim.
Is plaintiff used in criminal cases?
Usually no. In criminal cases, the case is normally brought by a prosecutor or the state, not a plaintiff.
What is the plural of plaintiff?
The plural is plaintiffs.
What is another word for plaintiff?
Depending on the jurisdiction and type of case, related terms include claimant, complainant, petitioner, and suing party.
What does a plaintiff file?
A plaintiff often files a complaint, claim form, or other pleading that starts the civil action.
How do you spell plaintiff?
It is spelled plaintiff, with ai after pl. Plantiff is a common misspelling.