Terms Used In Virginia Code > Title 50 > Chapter 2.1 > Article 10 - Derivative Actions

• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• General partner: means a person who has been admitted to a limited partnership as a general partner in accordance with the partnership agreement and named in the certificate of limited partnership as a general partner. See Virginia Code 50-73.1
• Limited partner: means a person who has been admitted to a limited partnership as a limited partner in accordance with the partnership agreement. See Virginia Code 50-73.1
• Partner: means a limited or general partner. See Virginia Code 50-73.1
• Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
• Person: means an individual, partnership, limited partnership (domestic or foreign), trust, estate, association, corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity. See Virginia Code 50-73.1
• Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
• Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
• Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.