Court & Litigation

Applicant

Also known as: claimant

In plain English

The person who starts a case that begins with an application rather than a claim for money.

What it means

An applicant is the party who commences a proceeding by filing an application, common in tribunals (VCAT, NCAT, QCAT), in the Federal Circuit and Family Court, and for many court orders such as injunctions. The role mirrors that of a plaintiff but is used where the case is started by application rather than a statement of claim. The other side is called the respondent.

How it's used

The applicant asked the Tribunal to order her landlord to return the rental bond.

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