Difference between Plaintiff,Petitioner, Applicant and Appellant
Plaintiff
Plaintiff means one who seeks remedy in a civil action.
In case of civil action for e.g. in law of torts or any violation of statute that leads to civil violation of rights, a suit is filed in court. These actions are such that they have a conflict between two parties that is plaintiff and defendent .
Petitioner
Petitioner is a person who files a petition in court. A petition is simply a plea filed in court to enforce a legal or constitutional or statutory right. Petitioner is one who invokes the help of a court to redress his grievances. For e.g. in case of public interest (PIL) we file a petition like - M.C Mehta vs Union of India
Applicant
Applicant is one who applies in a court. Until the court takes the cognizance of a matter a person remains an applicant. When it does take the cognizance the person becomes plaintiff or petitioner as the case may be.
Appellant
Appellant is one who appeals to a higher court than one which has already settled the dispute. When the party against whom a decision is pronounced , if it is not satisfied by the decision, can further file an appeal in higher court with a hope to get the decision of laws court reversed.
