Complaint

Definition - Noun
1  : the initial pleading that starts a lawsuit and that sets forth the allegations made by the plaintiff against the defendant and the plaintiff's demand for relief
see also prayer process well-pleaded complaint rule
compare answer
2  : a document sworn to by a victim or police officer that sets forth a criminal violation and that serves as the charging instrument by which charges are filed and judicial proceedings commenced against a defendant in a magistrate's court
compare declaration indictment information
3  : See also petition

Based on Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©2001.
Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.
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collateral estoppel

estoppel by judgment barring the relitigation of issues litigated by the same parties on a different cause of action

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