Make a complaint (2024)

FAQs

How to write an answer to a complaint? ›

Your response to the complaint is called the answer. You should respond to each paragraph of the complaint matching your response to the exact number used in the complaint. Be very careful with the statement you make in your answer. These statements can become admissions of facts that could be used against you.

In law, an answer refers to a defendant's first formal written statement to a plaintiff's initial petition or complaint. This opening written statement will admit or deny the allegations, or demand more information about the claims of wrongdoing.

An answer is typically the first responsive pleading filed by a defendant in a civil case. It responds to each allegation in a complaint through an admission or denial, as well as presents any defenses, affirmative defenses, counterclaims or cross-claims. FRCP 8.

File an answer

Filing an answer is probably the most common way of responding to a lawsuit. An answer is your opportunity to respond to the complaint's factual allegations and legal claims. It also allows you to assert "affirmative defenses," facts or legal arguments you raise to defeat plaintiff's claim.

Examples of complaint in a Sentence

The board has received a number of complaints about the new policy. The company has a system to handle customer complaints. The lack of parking spaces is a common complaint among the city's residents. The lack of financial support is our biggest complaint.

I wish to complain about ____ (name of product or service, with serial number or account number) that I purchased on ____ (date and location of transaction). I am complaining because ____ (the reason you are dissatisfied). To resolve this problem I would like you to ____ (what you want the business to do).

Use bold headings to structure the response around the details of the complaint. It is also important to give an explanation of what evidence you have looked at and what your conclusions are. Ensure that, when you signpost a customer to the Legal Ombudsman, the information is clear and easy to find.

I've had a chance to review your complaint, and I'd like to apologize for [Issue]. Thank you for taking the time to share that with me so I can make it right. [Rephrase issue] is something that our team at [Company] doesn't take lightly. Based on what you've shared with me, here's how I can resolve the problem.

A legal conclusion is a statement that explains what someone is required to do or what the outcome of a legal case should be, but it doesn't include the specific facts that led to that conclusion. It's different from a conclusion of law or a conclusion of fact, which do include those details.

alternative dispute resolution (ADR): Methods of resolving disputes out of court, including mediation and arbitration. answer: a defendant's response to a plaintiff's initial court filing (called a complaint or petition).

What is the final response to a complaint? ›

The final response must explain how you considered the complaint and the conclusions you reached, including actions you will take as a result of the complaint. It must also explain how the person who has made the complaint can approach the Ombudsman if they remain unhappy.

Filing an Answer to the Complaint forces the other side to prove their case with evidence. You may also be called upon to provide evidence about what happened or defenses you claim. There are other possible types of responses that may be more appropriate in your case.

Do not retaliate. Take note of the date, time and place and inform the investigator as soon as possible. Explain. If the complaint does proceed to the formal stage you should be given the opportunity to explain your version of events, include witnesses and any material evidence.

Your aim is to clearly set out if something went wrong or not. If something went wrong, include the details of that failing and any impact it had. Take into account what the person making the complaint told you about the impact it had, but also explain if it has had an impact the person may not be aware of.

The format of a complaint letter follows the format of a formal letter. To write a complaint letter, you can start with the sender's address followed by the date, the receiver's address, the subject, salutation, body of the letter, complimentary closing, signature and name in block letters.

[TEMPLATE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER]

I write to acknowledge receipt of your complaint and to let you know that I am currently investigating your concerns. I plan to provide a response within [insert number of days here] as set out in the enclosed complaints procedure. Enclosure: Complaints procedure.