Putative Plaintiff

/ˈpjuːtətɪv ˈpleɪntɪf/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A person who is assumed or alleged to be the plaintiff in a lawsuit, especially when their status as plaintiff is yet to be confirmed.
    The court must determine whether the putative plaintiff has standing to sue.

Forms

  • putative plaintiff
  • putative plaintiffs

Commentary

The term 'putative plaintiff' often arises in early litigation stages to denote an assumed party before formal recognition; clarity in pleadings helps avoid ambiguity regarding who is asserting claims.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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Amicus Docs | Putative Plaintiff Definition