Civil Law
Plaint
The formal written document by which a civil suit is initiated, setting out the facts, cause of action, and the relief the plaintiff seeks.
A plaint is the plaintiff's opening pleading in a civil case — it must clearly state the facts giving rise to the dispute, the cause of action, and precisely what relief (damages, injunction, declaration, etc.) is being sought from the court.
A poorly drafted plaint that fails to disclose a valid cause of action can be rejected by the court at a preliminary stage, without even proceeding to trial.
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