# Wis. Stat. § 801.03: Jurisdiction; definitions

> Wisconsin · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.03

## Section

- **Citation:** Wis. Stat. § 801.03
- **Heading:** Jurisdiction; definitions
- **Jurisdiction:** Wisconsin
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WI Code / Chapter 801 / Section 801.03

## Text

In this chapter, the following words have the designated meanings:

(1) “Defendant” means the person named as defendant in a civil action, and where in this chapter acts of the defendant are referred to, the reference attributes to the defendant any person’s acts for which acts the defendant is legally responsible. In determining for jurisdiction purposes the defendant’s legal responsibility for the acts of another, the substantive liability of the defendant to the plaintiff is irrelevant.

(2) “Person” means any natural person, partnership, association, and body politic and corporate.

(3) “Plaintiff” means the person named as plaintiff in a civil action, and where in this chapter acts of the plaintiff are referred to, the reference attributes to the plaintiff the acts of an agent within the scope of the agent’s authority.

History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 591 (1975); 1975 c. 218 ; 1983 a. 189 .

## Nearby sections

- [Wis. Stat. § 801.01 Kinds of proceedings; scope of chs. 801 to 847.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.01.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 801.02 Commencement of action.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.02.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 801.03 Jurisdiction; definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.03.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 801.04 Jurisdictional requirements for judgments against persons, status and things.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.04.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 801.05 Personal jurisdiction, grounds for generally.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.05.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 801.06 Personal jurisdiction, grounds for without service of summons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.06.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 801.07 Jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem, grounds for generally.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.07.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 801.08 Objection to personal jurisdiction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.08.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 801.09 Summons, contents of.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.09.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 801.10 Summons, by whom served.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.10.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 801.11 Personal jurisdiction, manner of serving summons for.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.11.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 801.12 Jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem, manner of serving summons for; notice of object of action.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.12.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 801.13 Summons; when deemed served.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.13.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 801.14 Service and filing of pleadings and other papers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C801_S801.03. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.