Respondent

From LegalLanding

A Respondent is the party who is required to answer a petition for a court order or writ requiring the respondent to take some action, refrain from some action, or obey a court's direction. The moving party (the one filing the petition) is usually called the petitioner. The respondent is equivalent to a defendant in a lawsuit, but the potential result is a court order and not money damages. On an appeal, the respondent is the party who must respond to the losing party's appeal after the trial court stage, is called an appellant in the appeals court.