A legal petition is a formal request to a court to take action based on a situation involving a participant. For example, the organization may request that an attorney file a petition on its behalf to remove a child from the home due to unsafe conditions. A legal petition will typically result in a formal or informal court hearing. The petitioner is the participant who requests an action by the court. The petition can be completed and filed by a representative acting on behalf of the organization. The respondent is the person who is the subject of the petition and who responds to the charges or actions requested of the court.
For example, James Smith is caught by Officer Bill vandalizing a library. A case is created by the organization and offense details captured. Based on the offenses captured against James, the organization files an offense petition in the court. The organization is considered the petitioner and James is the respondent for this petition.
A legal petition may have multiple participants which include the petitioner, the respondent, and any other participants involved with the petition.
For more information on legal petition management see Legal Action Process Overview.