complainant
One bringing charges
A complainant is someone who makes a formal complaint, especially in legal contexts.
The complainant files the grievance or brings the charge: The complainant alleged harassment by her supervisor.
In civil cases, the complainant is essentially the plaintiff; in criminal matters, the person who reports the offense to authorities.
Assertion lacking proof
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- chargeCost or accusation
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
informant · whistleblower · witness · testimony · incrimination · denunciation · report · statement
Civil case initiator
- petitionerOne who formally requests
- claimantOne asserting entitlement
- appellantOne who appeals
- litigantParty in lawsuit
lawsuit · litigation · filing · allegation · testimony · deposition · affidavit · summons
Feeling unjustly wronged
- dissatisfiedUnhappy with results
- disgruntledSullenly dissatisfied
- victimOne harmed by another
- protestorOne who publicly objects
objector · petitioner · grievance · injustice · wronged · harmed · sufferer · redress
allegation
Assertion lacking proof
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- chargeCost or accusation
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
prosecutor · informant · whistleblower · witness · testimony · incrimination · denunciation · report · statement · evidence
plaintiff
Civil case initiator
- petitionerOne who formally requests
- claimantOne asserting entitlement
- appellantOne who appeals
litigant · lawsuit · litigation · filing · allegation · testimony · deposition · affidavit · summons · subpoena
aggrieved
Feeling unjustly wronged
- dissatisfiedUnhappy with results
- disgruntledSullenly dissatisfied
- victimOne harmed by another
protestor · objector · petitioner · grievance · injustice · wronged · harmed · sufferer · redress · remedy
trial
Judicial examination of claims
- hearingPerceiving sound waves
- tribunalJudicial decision-making body
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
judge · jury · verdict · testimony · cross-examination · witness · evidence · prosecution · defense · counsel
- Scots Lawpursuer, defender, advocates, advocate, solicitors
- letter writerspen pal, pen pals, correspondent, scribes, scribe
- Complaint Termsgrievance, allegation, accusation, claim, wrongdoing
- petitionersplaintiff, appellant, claimant, applicant, supplicant
- police slangperp, collar, bust, APB, BOLO
- court rolesjudge, juror, plaintiff, defendant, prosecutor
complainantdefendant
Party facing charges
accused · respondent · criminal defendant · suspect · perpetrator