Define: Formal complaint

The meaning of “Formal complaint” differs based on where it is used. We list many below, then combine them into one or more market-standard definitions.

How is Formal Complaint defined in a legal contract?

  • Formal complaint means a document that a complainant submits, alleging harassment and asking for an investigation into the claimed harassment. Seen in 506 SEC filings
  • Formal complaint means a charge made through either a physical or electronic document. This document should contain the signature of the complainant, signifying that they are the one lodging the complaint. Seen in 278 SEC filings
  • Formal complaint means a document lodged by a complainant, or endorsed by a certain coordinator, claiming harassment against a respondent and seeking that an investigation of the harassment claim be carried out. The complaint can be submitted in person, through mail, or electronically. Seen in 103 SEC filings
  • Formal complaint means a filed document, the complainant’s parent/guardian, or a certain coordinator, alleging harassment against a respondent, and asking for an investigation into the harassment claim. Seen in 95 SEC filings
  • Formal complaint means a written complaint which precisely states the reason for an allegation of discrimination, and the compensation sought. Seen in 86 SEC filings
  • Formal complaint means a document that a complainant lodges or a certain coordinator signs, asserting harassment prohibited by a specific law against a respondent, and requesting that the claim be investigated. Seen in 82 SEC filings
  • Formal complaint means a documented claim, inclusive of an electronic submission, lodged by a complainant, or endorsed by a specific coordinator, alleging harassment against a respondent and asking for an investigation of the harassment claim. Seen in 81 SEC filings
  • Formal complaint means a document that states the charges of each claimed violation and is prepared by the department or the department of an appointed official after a complaint is received by the department. Seen in 54 SEC filings

Note: The Genie AI Legal Assistant pulled this data out of the SEC EDGAR Database of 500,000 records from the past 22 years of filings. We regularly update this page as new filings and definitions come in.

Search EDGAR for 'Definitions of formal complaint' yourself to verify these results. We are always keen to point people to source documents.

Which definition should you use?

🤔 Our AI Legal Assistant has combined and improved the above descriptions to create market-standard 'Genie definitions' below, with guidance on which documents and which industry to use for each.

Genie Definition 1

  • Formal complaint means a signed document or electronic submission by a complainant, alleging a violation and requesting its investigation.

Relevant Contract Types

Relevant Circumstances

  • Instances of alleged employee misconduct in the workplace.
  • Breach of service delivery standards or fulfilment of duties.
  • Violation of non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements.
  • Addressing tenant misconduct or breach of lease agreement conditions.

Relevant Sectors

Genie Definition 2

  • Formal complaint means a charge of alleged violation, prepared after a complaint is received by the department.

Relevant Contract Types

Relevant Circumstances

  • Complaints regarding issues related to government-contracted tasks.
  • Alleged violation of procurement agreement terms.
  • Reported non-compliance with regulatory standards or conditions.

Relevant Sectors

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Looking for further advice on how to define “Formal complaint" in your document? 

🚀 Try our AI Legal Assistant! It can suggest a definition just for your specific needs (Simply import your contract, then ask it to draft a definition suitable for your document, that's it!)

What is the most popular definition of 'Formal complaint'?

Formal complaint means a signed document or electronic submission by a complainant, alleging a violation and requesting its investigation.

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