Legal Definitions - substituted complaint

A substituted complaint is a legal term used in civil law that refers to an amended complaint that replaces the original complaint by adding relevant matters that occurred before or at the time the action began.

For example, if a plaintiff files a complaint against a defendant but later discovers new evidence that strengthens their case, they may file a substituted complaint to include this new evidence and strengthen their claim.

Another example is when a plaintiff files a complaint but later realizes that they made a mistake in the original complaint. They may file a substituted complaint to correct the mistake and ensure that the case proceeds smoothly.

In both cases, the substituted complaint replaces the original complaint and becomes the new basis for the court's jurisdiction, the plaintiff's claim, and the demand for relief.