Who is the party that initiates a court action?

The party that initiates a court action is known as the plaintiff. This individual or entity files a complaint with the court, outlining their grievances and seeking legal relief from the court. The plaintiff generally illustrates how they have been wronged and what they are seeking in terms of compensation or remedial action.

In legal proceedings, the plaintiff has the burden of proof, meaning they must present sufficient evidence to support their claims against the opposing party. This contrasts with the defendant, who is the person or entity being accused or sued, and is tasked with responding to the plaintiff's allegations. The witness is an individual who provides testimony about the case but does not have a direct role in initiating legal action. The jury, when present, serves as a group of individuals selected to hear the evidence and render a verdict but does not initiate any court actions. The roles of these parties are clearly defined within the legal framework, establishing the plaintiff as the one who starts the litigation process.