demandeur

Demandeur is a term in French law and administration designating a person who makes a request, a claim, or a legal action. Its exact meaning depends on the context, but it generally refers to the claimant or applicant who initiates a procedure.

In civil procedure, the demandeur is the party who initiates an action before a court, typically by filing an assignation, a complaint, or a petition. The demandeur seeks relief or recognition against the opposing party, who is the défendeur. Depending on the jurisdiction, the plaintiff may also be called the plaignant, especially in contexts involving complaints or criminal proceedings.

In administrative and immigration contexts, a demandeur is a person who submits an application to a public authority—for example a demandeur d’asile (asylum seeker), a demandeur de titre de séjour (visa or residence permit applicant), or a demandeur d’emploi (job seeker). The term emphasizes the initiatory role of the person in obtaining recognition, authorisation, or benefits.

Etymology and gender: the word derives from the verb demander. The masculine form is demandeur; the feminine form varies by text and can appear as demanderesse or demandeuse in some usages. Related terms include requérant (a more formal procedural synonym) and plaignant (in contexts of complaints or prosecutions).

Overall, demandeur denotes a person who asks for something through a formal process, whether before a court, an administration, or another authority.