Who is the party making a complaint in a legal action?

The party making a complaint in a legal action is known as the complainant. This term specifically refers to the individual or entity that initiates the legal proceedings by lodging a formal complaint or claim against another party. The complainant asserts that their rights have been violated or that they have suffered harm, and they seek a remedy through the court system.

In legal terminology, the complainant plays a crucial role as they are responsible for outlining their grievances and guiding the court through the facts of the case. This is essential for determining the merits of their claims and ultimately reaching a resolution.

The other options refer to different roles within the legal process. For instance, a respondent typically refers to a party who responds to a complaint, particularly in administrative or family law contexts, while a defendant is the individual or party being accused or sued in a criminal or civil case. The term "complaining party" is more of a colloquial expression and is not the specific legal terminology used to describe the party initiating the complaint. Thus, the use of "complainant" is the correct and properly defined answer in this context.