Plaintiff (in the context of civil law)
A person who brings a civil action in law against a defendant, i.e. the person who initiates the proceedings. Through bringing a claim, the plaintiff seeks a legal remedy. If the case is judged in favour of the plaintiff, the court will issue an order specifying the form of the remedy and its quantum, where appropriate.
A plaintiff may also be referred to as a claimant or complainant. Their role in proceedings is in opposition to that of the respondent or defendant, who has been named in the action as the accused, having been alleged to have breached some civil duty, for which they contest their liability.