What is a complaint in legal terms?

In legal terms, a complaint is defined as a written statement filed by the plaintiff that sets forth the allegations or claims against the defendant. It outlines the plaintiff's case, articulating the facts and the legal basis for the lawsuit, essentially asking the court to take action or provide relief based on the allegations of wrongdoing. This document serves as the initiation of a legal action and details the nature of the dispute, the harm suffered by the plaintiff, and the specific remedy sought.

The other options relate to different aspects of the legal process. A court's verdict addresses the final decision made by the judge or jury after deliberation in a case, while a document outlining the plaintiff's evidence would typically be part of the discovery process rather than the initial complaint. Lastly, a ruling on the admissibility of evidence pertains to a judge's decision during the proceedings regarding which evidence can be presented at trial, further demonstrating that a complaint specifically refers to the initial allegations made by the plaintiff against the defendant.