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Law vocabulary · Lawsuits & Procedure

Claimant

Meaning in law, with examples

/ˈkleɪmənt/nounCommon term

In law, claimant means: The person or organisation that starts a civil case in the courts of England and Wales; the word used there instead of plaintiff since 1999.

In Turkish: davacı, talep sahibi

How it is used

Standard in English civil procedure, in arbitration and in many international texts. A claimant 'brings' or 'issues' a claim, and the other side is the defendant. It is also used outside court for anyone making a claim, for example to an insurer or a compensation scheme.

Example sentences

  1. The claimant seeks damages for the late delivery of the equipment.

  2. In the arbitration, the claimant and the respondent each appointed one arbitrator.

Common collocations

  • the claimant's case
  • the claimant seeks
  • lead claimant
  • claimant's solicitors
  • plaintiffThe person or company that starts a civil case in court against someone else and asks the court for a remedy.
  • defendantThe person or company that a case is brought against: the side that must answer a civil claim or a criminal charge.
  • claimA formal demand for money, property or another remedy, especially one made in court; also a statement that something is true which has not yet been proved.
  • respondentThe party against whom an appeal, a petition or an arbitration claim is brought, and who must respond to it.
  • partyEach person or organisation directly involved in a contract or a court case, such as the buyer and the seller, or the claimant and the defendant.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Lawsuits & Procedure

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.