noun
complaint; petition; legal brief
A formal written document filed with a court to initiate a lawsuit; the term is specific to legal proceedings.
原告は裁判所に訴状を提出した。
The plaintiff filed a complaint with the court.
訴状の内容を確認してから答弁書を作
After reviewing the contents of the complaint, we will prepare the answer.
Compound of 訴 (so, 'lawsuit' or 'appeal') and 状 (jō, 'document' or 'letter'), literally meaning 'lawsuit document'.