A plaintiff, also known as a claimant or complainant, is the party who initiates a lawsuit (also known as an action) before a court. By doing so, the plaintiff seeks a legal remedy, and if successful, the court will issue judgment in favour of the plaintiff and make the appropriate court order (eg. an order for damages).

In some jurisdictions the commencement of a lawsuit is done by filing a summons, claim form and/or a complaint — these documents are known as pleadings — that set forth the alleged wrongs committed by the defendant or defendants with a demand for relief. In other jurisdictions the action is commenced by service of legal process by delivery of these documents on the defendant by a process server; they are only filed with the court subsequently with an affidavit from the process server that they had been given to the defendant(s) according to the rules of civil procedure.

Not all lawsuits are plenary actions, involving a full trial on the merits of the case. There are also simplified procedures, often called proceedings, in which the parties are termed petitioner instead of plaintiff, and respondent instead of defendant. There are also cases that do not technically involve two sides, such as petitions for specific statutory relief that require judicial approval; in those cases there are no respondents, just a petitioner.

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BBC News | Europe | World Edition

US condemns Russia over Georgia
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:47:35 -0000
US Vice-President Dick Cheney says Russia's actions in Georgia were an "illegitimate" attempt to change borders.
Eurozone rates on hold at 4.25%
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:17:57 -0000
The European Central Bank keeps eurozone interest rates at 4.25% after its latest meeting.
Sarkozy joins Middle East talks
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:10:29 -0000
French President Nicolas Sarkozy meets regional leaders in Syria in a bid to boost efforts towards Middle East peace.

NYT > Europe

White House Unveils $1 Billion Georgia Aid Plan
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:58:19 -0000
The aid, along with Vice President Dick Cheney’s visit to the region, is sure to inflame tensions with Russia further.
Ukraine Government Near Collapse
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:28:31 -0000
The Western-leaning governing coalition in Ukraine, which has endured repeated tumult since the Orange Revolution in 2004, appeared once again near collapse.
2 More Journalists Are Attacked in Caucasus
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:57:23 -0000
A television reporter was mortally wounded and a newspaper editor was severely beaten in Russia’s north Caucasus region, the third attack on journalists in three days in the volatile area.

L.A. Times - Europe

Vice President Cheney arrives in Azerbaijan
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:12:00 -0700
Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in Azerbaijan today, part of a tour of three ex-Soviet republics wary of Russia's intentions following last month's war between Russia and neighboring Georgia.
Russian nationalist advocates Eurasian alliance against the U.S.
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:54:00 -0700
Aleksander Dugin, a popular theorist in hard-line circles, advocates an alliance between the former Soviet Union and the Middle East. He says Georgia crisis could be start of a real conflict with U.S. Writer, political activist and father figure for contemporary Russian nationalism, Aleksandr Dugin is the founder of Russia's International Eurasian Movement and a popular theorist among Russia's hard-line elite. He envisions a strategic bloc comprising the former Soviet Union and the Middle East to rival the U.S.-dominated Atlantic alliance. The Times interviewed Dugin this week at his Moscow office, a room draped with flags bearing the slogan "Pax Russica." The following are excerpts.
Yushchenko orders new Ukrainian coalition
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:46:00 -0700
Ukraine's president ordered the creation of a new governing coalition today and threatened fresh elections, accusing his rival prime minister and opposition parties of attempting a "constitutional coup."

UN News Centre - Europe

UN welcomes ‘historic' launch of negotiations to reunify Cyprus
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed today's launch of full-fledged negotiations between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities that are aimed at reunifying the island of Cyprus.
UN sounds alarm on humanitarian conditions in Georgian city
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today expressed concern over the humanitarian conditions facing people in and around the town of Gori, which lies just south of the border of the separatist region of South Ossetia.
Tests confirm no radioactivity release from incident at UN laboratory
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Independent experts have confirmed the initial findings of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that there was no release of radioactive material to the environment after an incident at one of its laboratories earlier this month.

Europe - International Herald Tribune

Condemning Moscow, Cheney promises U.S. support for Georgia
By STEVEN LEE MYERS AND ALAN COWELL Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:36:37 -0000
Vice President Dick Cheney flew to Georgia to reaffirm Washington's support for the country's eventual NATO membership and to issue a powerful condemnation of Moscow.
Ukraine government near collapse
By CLIFFORD J. LEVY Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:36:37 -0000
The Western-leaning governing coalition in Ukraine, which has endured repeated tumult since the Orange Revolution in 2004, appeared once again near collapse.
Attacks on reporters flare in Russia; 2 are dead
By ELLEN BARRY Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:36:37 -0000
A television reporter has been shot and killed and a newspaper editor severely beaten in the north Caucasus region, the third such attack on journalists in three days in the volatile area.
Turkish president to visit Armenia
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:36:37 -0000
In a major diplomatic step, President Abdullah Gul of Turkey will visit Armenia this weekend for a soccer match.
Serbia could be EU candidate next year
By STEPHEN CASTLE Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:36:37 -0000
The comments, by José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission president, conveyed a message to the government in Belgrade that things could move speedily if Serbia removed the chief remaining obstacle to EU membership: the arrest of the former Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic.
Dutch draw up drastic measures to defend coast against rising seas
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:36:37 -0000
The Netherlands needs a massive new building program to strengthen the low-lying country's water defenses against the anticipated effects of global warming for the next 190 years, an important panel advised Wednesday.

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