Rule 2. Parties to a Lawsuit

(a) Parties. The parties to a small claims lawsuit are the plaintiff and the defendant. A party can be an individual, a marital community, a corporation, a partnership, an association, or other organization. (1) Plaintiff. A plaintiff is the party who files a small claims lawsuit by filing a complaint. The plaintiff must be a real party to the original transaction that forms the basis of the lawsuit, unless the person is commencing a lawsuit as a personal representative duly appointed pursuant to a proceeding as provided in Title 14 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. (2) Defendant. A defendant is the party who is sued by being named in the complaint. (b) Use of Correct Legal Name. A plaintiff must use the party's correct legal name when filing a lawsuit. Each defendant must be sued by the correct legal name. (c) Contact Information. All parties must provide the court with a mailing address, email address, and phone number, if available. The court may use this information to communicate with the parties about their case by mail, email, text message, or phone.