Petitioner
The petitioner is the party who presents a petition to the court. On appeal, the petitioner is usually the party who lost in the lower court. This can be either the plaintiff or defendant from the court below, as either of the parties can present the case to a higher court for further proceedings. See also respondent.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
1) A person who signs a petition. 2) Sometimes a synonym for plaintiff, used almost universally in some states and in others for certain types of lawsuits, most commonly divorce and other family law cases. 3) Someone who sponsors an immigrant or nonimmigrant for a green card or visa.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:21 pm
