In a civil suit, who is the party being sued known as?

In a civil suit, the party being sued is known as the defendant. This term is used to refer to the individual or entity that is being accused of causing harm or loss to another party, which prompts the other party to initiate legal action. The defendant has the right to respond to the allegations and provide their defense in court.

In the context of legal terminology, the claimant, also referred to as the plaintiff, is the party that brings the suit against the defendant, seeking some form of remedy or compensation. The term accuser generally applies in criminal cases rather than civil cases, and while responder is sometimes used in contexts involving administrative or regulatory matters, it is less common in civil litigation. Understanding these roles within the legal framework is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of civil suits.