complainant
n. countablen. a person who makes a formal complaint against someone else, especially in a court of law. This is the person who starts a legal case because they feel they were treated unfairly.
n. the party who brings a formal legal charge or complaint against another in a court of law or administrative hearing.
The complainant gave her statement to the police yesterday.
During the hearing, the complainant provided several documents to support his claim of unfair dismissal.
Legal counsel for the defense argued that the complainant had failed to provide sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case of negligence against the corporation.
From Old French complaignant, present participle of complaindre.
Commonly used in legal and formal administrative contexts; often contrasted with the 'defendant'.