A complainant is an individual or organization that initiates a complaint in a legal setting. Often in a court of law, the complainant will be the individual or entity that is bringing a case against another party. When a plaintiff files a lawsuit, they are considered the complainant.
The complainant is responsible for providing evidence or legal arguments to support their allegations and convincing the judge or jury that damages have been incurred as a result of the other party’s actions. From a business standpoint, a complainant might be an individual or company accusing a rival business of violating an agreement or causing them financial losses. This might be seen in a breach of contract case or in one seeking to resolve a dispute over intellectual property rights.
Example of Complainant
One of the most famous cases involving a complainant was when the U.S. federal government took action against Microsoft for violations of antitrust laws. The U.S. Justice Department acted as the complainant, arguing that Microsoft was engaged in illegal monopolistic practices. After a drawn-out legal battle, Microsoft was ultimately found to have violated the Sherman Act, and the court ordered remedial measures that the company had to adhere to.
Conclusion
In a legal context, a complainant is a party that brings a legal case against another party in order to seek restitution or justice. A complainant must provide evidence and legal arguments in support of their complaint, and ultimately convince the court of the validity of their claims in order to receive damages. Examples of complainants include individuals, businesses, and government agencies.