Plaintiff, the party who brings a legal action or in whose name it is brought—as opposed to the defendant, the party who is being sued. The term corresponds to petitioner in equity and civil law and to libelant in admiralty. It is applied to an equity petitioner in jurisdictions in which law and equity are merged. The plaintiff’s negotiation skills, willingness to compromise, and understanding of what is a plaintiff and what their case is worth influence the terms of any settlement. Plaintiff Defined and Explained with Examples. Plaintiff: a party who initiates a court action, whether civil or criminal, in order to seek a legal remedy. Learn who a plaintiff is in legal terminology, their rights, duties, and strategic role in civil litigation. Understand the significance of the plaintiff in Indian courts and global jurisprudence.
