The first part of the case is the title of the case. The title usually tells you the last names of the person who brought the lawsuit and the person who is being sued. These two sides are often referred to as the ‘parties’ or as the ‘litigants’ in the case. For example: Doe vs. Green. As the case moves up the ladder the names are inversed. Thus for example if Doe appealed to the court of appeal the case would be titled as Green vs. Doe.
In criminal law, cases are brought by the Public Prosecutor on behalf of the people. Therefore the Republic becomes a party to the case; hence a case is titled as R vs. (name of party being prosecuted)
