Resp't

Law & Legal abbreviation · Litigation

Resp't
Stands forRespondent
CategoriesLaw & Legal

Resp't stands for Respondent, a litigation abbreviation.

Bluebook abbreviation for "respondent", the party opposing a petition, appeal or motion, as in "Resp't's Br. 18". In Supreme Court practice it is usually the party that won below and is defending the judgment.

Example: Resp't's Br. 18 contends the issue was waived because it was not raised in the court of appeals.

Usage notes

Respondents also appear in agency proceedings, divorce and family cases, and habeas cases, where the respondent is normally the warden or other custodian. Practitioners sometimes write "Resp." informally. On appeal from a trial court, the equivalent party is usually called the appellee.

More litigation abbreviations

  • Pl. – Plaintiff
  • PO – Protective order
  • POS – Proof of service
  • PSC – Plaintiffs' steering committee
  • PTC – Pretrial conference
  • R&R – Report and recommendation
  • RFA – Request for admission
  • RFP – Request for production
  • ROG – Interrogatory
  • S&C – Summons and complaint
  • SIAC – Singapore International Arbitration Centre
  • SJ – Summary judgment

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.