Respondent vs. Informant — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 28, 2024
Respondent refers to an individual who answers a lawsuit or legal action, while an informant is someone who provides information, often secretly. Both play pivotal roles in legal and informational contexts respectively.
Difference Between Respondent and Informant
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A respondent is typically involved in legal proceedings, where they answer or respond to a complaint filed against them. This term is commonly used in civil cases, administrative proceedings, and some types of arbitration. On the other hand, an informant is a person who provides information or intelligence, usually confidentially, to an organization or authority. Informants can be crucial in investigative processes, especially in law enforcement and journalism.
While respondents are directly engaged in legal disputes or cases, facing allegations or claims, informants might not have any direct involvement in the cases or situations they provide information about. Whereas a respondent's identity is usually public within the framework of legal proceedings, an informant’s identity may be kept confidential, especially if their information is sensitive or could put them at risk.
Respondents are obligated to provide responses, evidence, or defenses within specific legal frameworks and timelines, dictated by the nature of the legal action against them. Conversely, informants provide information voluntarily, often without any legal obligation or framework guiding their disclosure.
In legal contexts, the role of the respondent is defined by statutes, rules of procedure, and legal precedents, which outline their rights, responsibilities, and the potential consequences they face. Informants, however, operate based on the nature of the information they hold and the conditions under which they agree to disclose it, which can vary widely.
The motivation and implications of being a respondent versus an informant can differ significantly. Respondents address legal challenges posed against them, which can affect their rights, obligations, and status. Informants, by sharing information, aim to influence or contribute to outcomes of various situations, without being central to a legal dispute.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An individual who answers or responds to a legal action.
Someone who provides information, often secretly.
Context
Legal proceedings
Information gathering, often for law enforcement or journalism
Involvement
Direct, as a party to a case
Indirect, as a source of information
Identity
Public within legal proceedings
Often confidential
Obligation
To respond or defend against claims
To provide information voluntarily
Legal Framework
Guided by legal statutes and procedures
Not typically bound by specific legal frameworks
Motivation
To address legal challenges against them
To inform or influence outcomes discreetly
Compare with Definitions
Respondent
In surveys or research, the individual providing answers to questions.
Each respondent took approximately 30 minutes to complete the survey.
Informant
Someone who supplies information for research purposes.
The study relied on data collected from several informants.
Respondent
In administrative law, the entity responding to a complaint.
The agency acted as the respondent in the regulatory dispute.
Informant
A collaborator providing intelligence to a government agency.
The informant's tips helped prevent a potential threat.
Respondent
A party against whom a petition is filed, especially in a legal action.
The respondent prepared his defense after receiving the court summons.
Informant
A person who gives information to law enforcement about illegal activities.
The informant provided crucial details about the smuggling operation.
Respondent
In arbitration, the party being accused or sued.
The respondent disputed the claims made by the other party.
Informant
An undercover source in investigative journalism.
The journalist met the informant in secret to gather evidence.
Respondent
In family law, the spouse who did not file for divorce first.
The respondent was served divorce papers last Tuesday.
Informant
A whistleblower within an organization.
The company's illegal practices came to light through an informant.
Respondent
A respondent is a person who is called upon to issue a response to a communication made by another. The term is used in legal contexts, in survey methodology, and in psychological conditioning.
Informant
An informant (also called an informer) is a person who provides privileged information about a person or organization to an agency. The term is usually used within the law enforcement world, where they are officially known as confidential human source (CHS), or criminal informants (CI).
Respondent
A party against whom a petition is filed, especially one in an appeal or a divorce case.
Informant
A person who gives information to another.
Respondent
A person who replies to something, especially one supplying information for a questionnaire or responding to an advertisement
Most respondents to our questionnaire considered their practices to be in accordance with current medical guidelines
Informant
One that gives information.
Respondent
In the position of a party defending against a petition
The respondent defendant
Informant
One who informs against others; an informer.
Respondent
Replying to something
The respondent firms in the survey
Informant
One who furnishes linguistic or cultural information to a researcher.
Respondent
Involving or denoting a response, especially a conditioned reflex, to a specific stimulus.
Informant
One who relays confidential information to someone, especially to the police; an informer.
Respondent
One who responds.
Informant
(linguistics) A native speaker who acts as a linguistic reference for a language being studied. The informant demonstrates native pronunciation, provides grammaticality judgments regarding linguistic well-formedness, and may also explain cultural references and other important contextual information.
Respondent
(Law) The defending party in certain legal proceedings, as in a case brought by petition.
Informant
One who, or that which, informs, animates, or vivifies.
Respondent
Giving or given as an answer; responsive.
Informant
One who imparts information or instruction.
Respondent
(Law) Of or being a respondent in a proceeding.
Informant
One who offers an accusation; an informer. See Informer.
It was the last evidence of the kind; the informantwas hanged.
Respondent
One who responds; one who replies.
Informant
A person who supplies information
Respondent
(law) A defendant, especially in a case instituted by a petition or in appellate and divorce proceedings.
Informant
Someone who sees an event and reports what happened
Respondent
A person replying to a questionnaire.
Respondent
Disposed or expected to respond; answering; according; corresponding.
Respondent
Disposed or expected to respond; answering; according; corresponding.
Wealth respondent to payment and contributions.
Respondent
One who responds. It corresponds in general to defendant.
Respondent
Someone who responds
Respondent
Replying;
An answering glance
An answering smile
Common Curiosities
Can a respondent also be an informant?
Yes, in certain situations, a respondent in a legal case could also act as an informant, providing information about another aspect of the case or a different case entirely.
Why might someone choose to become an informant?
Individuals may choose to become informants for various reasons, including seeking protection, monetary rewards, reducing their own legal penalties, or moral convictions.
What legal protections do respondents have?
Respondents have various legal protections, including the right to be informed of the claims against them, the right to legal representation, and the right to present evidence and argue their case.
What is a respondent?
A respondent is an individual or entity that responds to or defends against a petition or legal action in various legal contexts.
What does an informant do?
An informant provides crucial information, often confidentially, to authorities or organizations, typically about illegal activities or for research purposes.
How is the role of a respondent determined?
The role of a respondent is determined by their involvement in a legal action or dispute where they are required to answer or defend against claims or accusations.
Are respondents always guilty?
No, being a respondent does not imply guilt. It simply means that a claim or accusation has been made against them, which they must answer or defend against in legal proceedings.
How are informants protected?
Informants may be offered protection through anonymity, relocation, or other measures, especially if their information exposes them to danger or retribution.
How do respondents participate in legal proceedings?
Respondents participate by filing responses, attending hearings, presenting evidence, and making legal arguments to defend against the accusations or claims made against them.
Do respondents have to prove their innocence?
In legal proceedings, the burden of proof often lies with the party making the accusation or claim. However, respondents may present evidence to refute the claims against them.
Can an informant’s identity be revealed?
While efforts are often made to protect an informant's identity, especially in sensitive cases, there are situations where an informant's identity may be disclosed, typically through legal processes or by their own choice.
Is the role of an informant legal?
Yes, the role of an informant is legal, though it involves providing information that can include exposing illegal activities. The process is regulated to protect both the informant and the integrity of the information.
What motivates an informant to provide information?
Motivations vary and can include financial incentives, legal immunity, personal or moral reasons, or seeking justice or protection for themselves or others.
What are the risks of being an informant?
Being an informant can carry risks, including potential harm from those the information is about, legal risks if not properly managed, and personal or professional repercussions.
How can someone become an informant?
Individuals can become informants by contacting law enforcement or other agencies to provide information. This process is often facilitated by legal or professional intermediaries.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
