Who initiates a civil claim in court?

In a civil claim, it is the plaintiff who initiates the legal action by filing a claim in court. The plaintiff is the party who believes they have been wronged or harmed in some way and seeks a remedy through the legal system. By initiating the claim, the plaintiff outlines their grievances and the relief they are seeking, which could range from monetary compensation to specific performance or other legal remedies.

The judge's role is to oversee the proceedings and make decisions based on the law, but they do not initiate claims. The defendant, on the other hand, is typically the party being accused or sued and responds to the claim filed by the plaintiff. A jury might become involved during the trial process to help determine the facts of the case, but they do not initiate claims either. Thus, the process starts with the plaintiff taking action to bring their case to court.