n
The initial pleading of a
plaintiff in a civil action that identifies the court’s jurisdiction, the
alleged facts that entitle the plaintiff to relief, and the relief sought. See
also
ad damnum clause,
bill,
petition,
and
prayer.
amended complaint
A complaint that substitutes for the original complaint and
adds to, corrects, revises, or subtracts from the alleged facts contained in
the original complaint.
criminal complaint
A document, signed and sworn to by a victim or witness to a
crime or by a police officer, alleging facts that give rise to a reasonable
belief that a crime has been committed and that a person named in the
instrument committed that crime. Also called a complaint.
third-party complaint
A complaint by the defendant in a civil action against a
person or entity who is not a party to the proceeding, to whom the defendant
alleges a right of contribution or indemnity from that person, should the
defendant be found liable to the plaintiff. See also
action.
well-pleaded complaint
A complaint in a civil action that identifies the court’s
jurisdiction, the alleged facts that entitle the plaintiff to relief, and the
relief sought in a manner sufficient for the defendant to respond to the issues
contained therein.
