Claimant
The person or business bringing the claim, the one asking to be paid.
Plaintiff · Petitioner
The claimant starts the case by filling in the claim form and paying the filing fee. Most court forms use the word plaintiff for the same role.
Who you are claiming as matters: several states set a lower dollar limit for a business or a public agency than for an individual.
Related words
Common questions
- What does claimant mean in small claims court?
- The person or business bringing the claim, the one asking to be paid. The claimant starts the case by filling in the claim form and paying the filing fee. Most court forms use the word plaintiff for the same role.
- What does defendant mean in small claims court?
- The person, business, or agency a claim is brought against. You have to name the defendant the way the court can find them: a person by their full name, a business by the name it is registered under, plus any name it trades under.
- What does claim mean in small claims court?
- The form that starts the case: who you are, who owes you, how much, and why. The claim form is short on purpose. It asks for the amount, a plain description of what happened, and the dates. You sign it, hand it in, and pay the filing fee.
- What does small claims court mean in small claims court?
- The part of a state's court that hears money disputes up to a set dollar limit, with simple rules. Small claims is a division of a state court set up for people to use without help. The forms are short, the hearing is usually under half an hour, and the judge asks the questions rather than waiting for you to.
Verified on 2026-09-06, sources:
Verified on 2026-09-06, sources:
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.