The plaintiff’s petition or complaint is the document filed with the court and delivered to the defendant (served) that initiates a lawsuit and puts the defendant on notice of the plaintiff’s claims against the defendant and the relief the plaintiff is asking the court to award (usually money or injunctive relief).
In South Carolina, the plaintiff's petition or complaint is the initial legal document filed in a civil court to start a lawsuit. This document outlines the plaintiff's allegations against the defendant, the factual basis for the claims, and the specific relief or damages the plaintiff is seeking. Once the complaint is filed with the court, it must be formally served on the defendant, which provides official notice that a lawsuit has been initiated against them. Service of process must be done in accordance with South Carolina's rules of civil procedure, which may include personal delivery by a sheriff or process server, or in some cases, by certified mail. The defendant then has a specified period of time to respond to the complaint, typically 30 days, by filing an answer or other responsive pleading with the court. Failure to respond in a timely manner may result in a default judgment in favor of the plaintiff.