Defendant

History

Defendant, in law, a person against whom proceedings are instituted or directed; one who is called upon to answer in any suit. At one time the term “defendant” had a narrower meaning, that of a person sued in a personal action only, the corresponding term in a real action being “tenant,” but the distinction is now practically disregarded, except in a few states of the United States.(1)

Concept of Defendant

Note: explore also the meaning of this legal term in the American Ecyclopedia of Law.

Resources

See Also

• Judiciary

Resources

Notes and References

1. Encyclopedia Britannica (1911)

See Also

• Landlord and Tenant
• Fixtures
• Good Repair
• Garnishment
• Eviction
• Landlord and Tenant History
• Real Covenant

Further Reading