Who is the party that brings an action or claim in a trial?

The party that brings an action or claim in a trial is referred to as the plaintiff. In a legal context, the plaintiff initiates the lawsuit by filing a complaint, outlining their grievances and the relief they seek from the court. This role is fundamental in civil litigation, as the plaintiff sets the legal dispute in motion by alleging wrongs perpetrated against them and seeking resolution.

In contrast, the other roles play distinctly different functions in the legal process. The defendant is the party being accused or sued in the trial, tasked with responding to the plaintiff’s claims. The appellant is involved in an appeal process, where a party challenges a decision made by a lower court, while the respondent is the party responding to an appeal, typically defending the lower court's ruling. Understanding these definitions helps clarify the roles and the structure of legal proceedings.