In legal contexts, the terms “complainant” and “respondent” refer to the parties involved in a dispute or legal proceeding.
Complainant: The complainant is the individual or entity that initiates a complaint or legal action against another party. This person believes that they have been wronged in some way and seeks a remedy through the legal system. In civil cases, the complainant is often referred to as the plaintiff. In cases involving complaints to regulatory bodies or administrative agencies (such as discrimination claims), the term complainant is more commonly used.
Respondent: The respondent is the individual or entity that is being accused or against whom the complaint is filed. The respondent is required to respond to the allegations made by the complainant and may need to provide a defense or explanation regarding the claims. In certain contexts, such as family law or administrative hearings, the term respondent is frequently used to refer to the party responding to a petition or complaint.
In summary, the complainant is the party bringing the complaint, while the respondent is the party responding to that complaint.