Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

civil-complaint

noun

/ˈsɪvəl kəmˈpleɪnt/

Definition

A formal legal document filed in a civil court to initiate a lawsuit.

Examples

The plaintiff filed a civil complaint against the landlord for failing to make necessary repairs.
Once the civil complaint was submitted, the court set a date for the hearing.
In her civil complaint, she sought compensation for damages caused by the accident.

Meaning

A civil complaint serves as the first step in a legal proceeding where the plaintiff outlines their case against the defendant, detailing the facts and legal reasons for the lawsuit.