What does a complaint initiate in legal terms?

In legal terms, a complaint is the formal document that initiates a lawsuit. It serves as a charge or allegation against the defendant, specifying the claims made and the relief sought by the plaintiff. The complaint provides the defendant with notice of the legal action being taken against them and outlines the basis for the plaintiff’s claims. This document is filed in the appropriate court and sets the stage for the legal dispute, which will proceed through various stages, such as pleadings, motions, and possibly a trial.

The other options do not accurately reflect the role of a complaint. While the resolution of a dispute may follow the filing of a complaint, the complaint itself does not initiate a dispute resolution process. It is not a pleading made by the defendant; rather, it is initiated by the plaintiff. Additionally, a complaint does not represent a settlement negotiation but rather begins the legal action leading potentially to such negotiations later in the process.