Complaint in United Kingdom

Definition of Complaint

In accordance with the work A Dictionary of Law, this is a description of Complaint :

1. The initiating step in civil proceedings in the *magistrates’ court, consisting of a statement of the complainant’s allegations. The complaint is made before a *justice of the peace or, if the complaint is not required to be on oath, before a *clerk to the justices, who may then issue an originating *process directed to the defendant.

2. An allegation of a crime. A complaint made by the victim of a sexual offence directly after the commission of the offence is admissible as evidence of the consistency of the complainant’s story.

Complaint Meaning

Complaint in Scottish Law

A statement accusing someone of breaking the law.

Copy complaint Meaning

Copy complaint in Scottish Law

A letter from the procurator fiscal to an accused person, telling them what they have been charged with and when to appear in court.