<P> A party is a person or group of persons that compose a single entity which can be identified as one for the purposes of the law . Parties include : plaintiff ( person filing suit ) , defendant ( person sued or charged with a crime ) , petitioner ( files a petition asking for a court ruling ) , respondent ( usually in opposition to a petition or an appeal ) , cross-complainant ( a defendant who sues someone else in the same lawsuit ) , or cross-defendant ( a person sued by a cross-complainant ) . A person who only appears in the case as a witness is not considered a party . </P>
<P> A party is a person or group of persons that compose a single entity which can be identified as one for the purposes of the law . Parties include : plaintiff ( person filing suit ) , defendant ( person sued or charged with a crime ) , petitioner ( files a petition asking for a court ruling ) , respondent ( usually in opposition to a petition or an appeal ) , cross-complainant ( a defendant who sues someone else in the same lawsuit ) , or cross-defendant ( a person sued by a cross-complainant ) . A person who only appears in the case as a witness is not considered a party . </P>
who is considered a party to the action
who is considered a party to the action
a person or group of persons that compose a single entity which can be identified as one for the purposes of the law
a person or group of persons that compose a single entity which can be identified as one for the purposes of the law