Défenderesse

Défenderesse is a French legal term referring to a female defendant in a civil lawsuit. It is the feminine form of the term "défendeur," which means defendant in general. In legal proceedings, the defenderesse is the party against whom a legal claim or action has been brought. Their role is to respond to the allegations made by the plaintiff and present their defense.

The term defenderesse is specific to civil litigation. In criminal cases, the term used for a female accused is "prévenue" or "accusée," depending on the stage of the proceedings. Regardless of gender, the defendant's primary objective is to contest the claims made by the opposing party and seek a favorable outcome from the court, which could involve dismissal of the case, a settlement, or a judgment in their favor.

The specific rights and obligations of a defenderesse are governed by the procedural laws of the jurisdiction in which the lawsuit is filed. These typically include the right to legal representation, the right to present evidence, and the obligation to respond to legal documents within specified timeframes. The concept of the defenderesse is fundamental to the adversarial system of justice, ensuring that all parties have an opportunity to be heard and defend themselves.