Definition:
The defendant in a lawsuit is the person against whom the action is brought, by the plaintiff. The defendant does not have to prove his or her case; that is the responsibility of the plaintiff.
The term "defendant" is used in both civil and criminal lawsuits. In an arbitration, the defendant is called a respondent, because he/she is responding to the claims of the claimant.
Also Known As: A defendant in an arbitration case is called the "respondent."
Common Misspellings: defendent
Examples:
The defendant sat with her attorney while the plaintiff's attorney outlined the case against her.
