Terms Used In Montana Code > Title 27 > Chapter 2 > Part 1 - General Provisions

• action: as used in this chapter , is to be construed, whenever it is necessary to do so, as including a special proceeding of a civil nature. See Montana Code 27-2-101
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
• Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
• Property: means real and personal property. See Montana Code 1-1-205
• State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Montana Code 1-1-201
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.