Claimant
The person who brings a civil action (formerly known as the plaintiff).
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
The term has a precise legal meaning: under the Civil Procedure Rules 1998, which govern civil litigation in England and Wales, 'claimant' means a person who makes a claim. It replaced the older term 'plaintiff' when the Civil Procedure Rules came into force.
In practice, becoming a claimant is straightforward: a person who is owed money by another person or business can apply to a county court to claim it, a process usually described as 'making a court claim'. Government guidance also points out that mediation — an impartial person helping both sides reach an agreement — can be quicker and cheaper than going to court.
Related terms
Official sources
This explanation is drawn from the official sources below; every substantive statement is verified against them. For advice on a specific matter, see our find help page.