Which term refers to a person's ability to defend against a legal claim in civil matters?

The term that refers to a person's ability to defend against a legal claim in civil matters is "Defendant." In civil cases, the defendant is the individual or entity being accused or sued by another party, usually called the claimant or plaintiff. The defendant has the right to present a defense against the claims made, which may involve denying the allegations, providing evidence, or asserting legal arguments to counter the plaintiff's case.

This designation is essential in the legal process, as it establishes the party that is responding to the allegations made in the lawsuit. Understanding the role of the defendant is fundamental in civil law, as it highlights the adversarial nature of legal proceedings where each party has the opportunity to argue their case before a judge or jury.

Other terms like claimant, respondent, and litigant refer to different roles within the legal framework. The claimant is the party initiating a lawsuit, the respondent is often used in appeal cases or specific legal matters, and a litigant is a general term for anyone involved in litigation. Thus, the correct identification of a defendant allows for a clear understanding of the dynamics in civil legal proceedings.