Libelant

views updated

LIBELANT

Formerly the party who filed an initiatorypleading(a formal declaration of a claim) in an ecclesiastical or religious matter or in anadmiraltycase, corresponding to the plaintiff in actions at law.

Since 1966, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Supplementary Admiralty Rules have governed admiralty actions, which are presently commenced by complaint.

cross-references

Admiralty and Maritime Law; Civil Procedure.

More From encyclopedia.com