Minn. Stat. § 565.22: DEFINITIONS.

Subdivision 1. Generally.

For the purposes of Laws 1979, chapter 18, the terms in this section have the meanings given them.

Subd. 2. Claimant.

"Claimant" means a party asserting, in a pleading before a court, a claim for the recovery of possession of personal property, whether the claim is asserted in a complaint, counterclaim or reply.

Subd. 3. Respondent.

"Respondent" means a person against whom a claimant asserts a claim and who has, or is alleged to have, possession of the personal property which the claimant seeks to recover.