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LSDefine
Simple English definitions for legal terms
prayer for relief
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A quick definition of prayer for relief:
The prayer for relief is a part of a complaint where the person who is suing (called the plaintiff) tells the court what they want the court to do to help them. This is required by the rules of the court. The prayer for relief is usually at the end of the complaint. There are two types of relief that a plaintiff can ask for: special relief (like money or an order to stop someone from doing something) and general relief (which means the court can decide what else to do to help the plaintiff). The prayer for relief is also called the demand for relief.
A more thorough explanation:
The prayer for relief is a part of a legal complaint where the plaintiff asks the court for a specific remedy or damages. It is required by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure that a plaintiff's complaint must include a prayer for relief. This prayer is usually found at the end of the complaint.
There are two types of relief that a plaintiff can request:
- Special prayer: This is a specific relief that the plaintiff believes they are entitled to. Examples include actual damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, and attorneys' fees.
- General prayer: This is an unspecified request for any other relief that the court deems the plaintiff is entitled to. The court is not limited to granting the relief which the plaintiff requests.
For example, if a person is injured in a car accident, they may file a lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident. In their complaint, they would include a prayer for relief asking for compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Another example is if a company is suing a former employee for stealing trade secrets. In their complaint, they may include a prayer for relief asking for an injunction to prevent the former employee from using or disclosing the trade secrets, as well as damages for any harm caused by the theft.