Claimant Definition: Understanding the Role in Legal Proceedings

Published by:
Keisha Johnson

Reviewed by:
Alistair Vigier
Last Modified: 2024-07-19
Are you looking for the claimant definition? The person starts a family law action in the Supreme Court by filing a Notice of Family Claim (Form F3). A claimant is a person or entity making a claim or demand, usually legally. In legal proceedings, a claimant is a party that initiates the action and demands relief, such as monetary compensation or specific performance.
The claimant typically seeks to enforce a legal right or recover damages for an injury sustained.
The term is commonly used in civil litigation, employment law, insurance claims, and other legal contexts where a person or entity seeks a remedy or resolution for a perceived wrong. In contrast, the defendant is the party against whom the claim is made.

Definition of a Legal Claimant
The claimant and defendant are the two main parties in legal proceedings, and their roles and responsibilities are defined by the laws and regulations that govern the specific case. We hope you found this claimant’s legal definition helpful.
A claimant in legal terms is someone who brings a claim or lawsuit against another party. This term broadly applies across various types of law, from personal injury to employment disputes. The claimant asserts their right to compensation or relief due to alleged harm or breach of duty by the defendant.
In criminal cases, the term plaintiff or prosecutor is more commonly used than claimant. The burden of proof lies on the claimant to establish their case, often requiring a preponderance of evidence. Interestingly, a significant portion of civil cases—around 60%—result in a settlement before reaching trial, highlighting the role of claimants in negotiating resolutions.
Key Points:
-A claimant initiates a lawsuit seeking compensation or relief.
-Applies to various legal areas, excluding criminal law.
-Must provide enough evidence to support their claim.
-Commonly leads to settlements; 60% settle before trial.
-The term differs from ‘plaintiff’ used in criminal contexts.
Learn more about legal terms.
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