Compl.

Law & Legal abbreviation · Litigation

Compl.
Stands forComplaint
CategoriesLaw & Legal

Compl. stands for Complaint, a litigation abbreviation.

Citation abbreviation for the pleading that starts a civil lawsuit, used in briefs and opinions to point to specific allegations, as in "Compl. ¶ 23". An amended complaint is cited "Am. Compl.".

Example: Plaintiffs allege the drug caused liver damage, Compl. ¶ 23, but identify no physician who said so.

Usage notes

In federal court a complaint must contain a short and plain statement of jurisdiction, the claim and the relief sought (Rule 8). On a motion to dismiss, the court accepts its well-pleaded factual allegations as true. Briefs and orders also use FAC for a first amended complaint and SAC for a second amended complaint.

More litigation abbreviations

  • AEO – Attorneys' eyes only
  • Aff. – Affidavit
  • AOS – Affidavit of service
  • Br. – Brief
  • CMC – Case management conference
  • COA – Cause of action
  • CPLR – Civil Practice Law and Rules
  • Decl. – Declaration
  • Def. – Defendant
  • Dep. – Deposition
  • DJ – Declaratory judgment
  • Dkt. – Docket

See all 71 litigation abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.