Civ Pro Pre-Trial and Trial Flashcards
What are the types of pleadings allowed under the Rules of Federal Procedure
(1) complaints
(2) answers to complaints
(3) answers to counter-claims
(4) answers to cross-claims
(5) third-party claims
(6) answers to third-party claims
(7) replies to answers where ordered by the court
What must a complaint contain?
(1) a short and plain statement of the grounds for the court’s jurisdiction
(2) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief
(3) a demand for relief
What should a “short and plain statement” do?
It should contain sufficient factual matter to state a plausible claim that is more than a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully
May a pleading make inconsistent claims or defenses?
Yes
Is it proper for a pleading to include a statement of a claim or defense like below:
Plaintiff alleges that Defendant negligently broke her arm. Plaintiff also alleges that Defendant intentionally broke her arm.
Yes, a pleading may state one or more statements of a claim or defense alternatively or hypothetically.
Are technical defects in a pleading a problem?
Not if it does not prejudice a substantial right of the parties
Is evidentiary material required in the complaint?
No, only the factual matter which is sufficient to set up a plausible claim for relief
What matters must be plead with particularity?
(1) if it is required to show that the court has jurisdiction, the capacity or authority to sue
(2) fraud, mistake, or condition of the mind
(3) conditions precedent when denying a condition occurred
(4) time and place when testing the sufficiency of a pleading
(5) special damages
What is required of an answer to a complaint?
The responding party must admit or deny the allegations
Can a responding party to a complaint admit part of an allegation but not all of it?
Yes
What happens if the responding party fails to answer an allegation
It is deemed to admitted
What is an affirmative defense?
it is a defense that relies on factual issues not present in the complaint
When asserting an affirmative defense, what is required?
the additional facts must be presented
What are the affirmative defenses that must be in an answer? (name at least 8)
(1) accord and satisfaction
(2) arbitration and award
(3) assumption of risk
(4) contributory negligence
(5) duress
(6) estoppel
(7) failure of consideration
(8) fraud
(9) illegality
(10) injury by fellow servant
(11) laches
(12) licenses
(13) payment
(14) release
(15) res judicata
(16) statute of frauds
(17) waiver
When might a challenge to jurisdiction or other procedural matters be brought?
In the answer or in a pre-answer motion
When should a pre-answer motion be brought?
Before an answer.
Dude…if you didn’t get this I don’t know what to tell you.
What matters might be brought in a pre-answer motion?
(1) subject-matter jurisdiction
(2) personal jurisdiction
(3) improper venue
(4) insufficient process
(5) insufficient service of process
(6) failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted
(7) failure to join a party under Rule 19
Can pre-answer motion matters be brought together?
Yes
What happens if the pre-answer motion fails to bring a defense or challenge?
Unless it is subject-matter jurisdiction, failure to state a claim, or failure to join a party, cannot be brought again and the challenge is considered waived.
When might a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, failure to join, or failure to state a legal defense be made?
(1) in any pleading made or ordered under rule 7(a)
(2) by a motion under rule 12(c)
(3) at trial
How much time does someone have to answer a complaint?
(1) 21 days after service of process
(2) 60 days after waiver of service to a US party
(3) 90 days after waiver of service to a foreign party
If a pre-answer motion is denied, how long does an answering party have to respond to the complaint?
14 days
When may a party amend a pleading as a matter of course
(1) within 21 days of service of the OG complaint
(2) or within 21 days after service of an answer, a motion to dismiss, a motion for a more definite statement, or a motion to strike
What factors are considered when a court permits a party to amend?
(1) the reason for delay in raising the matter
(2) prejudice to the opposing party due to the delay
What does the Doctrine of Relation Back mean for amended claims?
a court will treat an amendment as though it had been filed with the original pleading as long as it arises out of the same conduct or transaction, or occurrence as the original claim
What does the Doctrine of Relation Back mean for added parties?
the court will treat it as filed at the same time as long as:
(1) amendment asserts a claim or defense that arises from the same conduct, transaction, or occurrence
(2) the party to be added by the amendment received notice of the original action within 90 days of service of the claim
(3) the party that was added should have known or knew that the original action would have been asserted against it
Per Rule 11, what must be on every pleading, written motions, and other paper filed with the court?
(1) the signature of the attorney or unrepresented person
(2) signer’s address, e-mail address, and telephone number
What happens if a document does not comply with Rule 11?
the court must strike the unsigned paper unless the omission is promptly corrected
Rule 11 does not apply to what documents?
Discovery matters
When submitting a document under Rule 11, what is the individual certifying?
(1) the document is not being presented for any improper purpose
(2) the claims, defenses, and other legal contentions are warranted by existing law, or nonfrivolous arguments for extending, modifying, or creating new law
(3) factual contentions have evidentiary support or will likely have evidentiary support
(4) the denials of factual contentions are either warranted on the evidence or are reasonably based on belief or lack of information
When might sanctions be brought under Rule 11?
A motion may only be made after providing notice to the opposing party and providing 21 days to correct or withdrawal
What is the purpose of provisional relief?
maintain the status quo and prevent irreparable damage
What must a party establish for provisional relief?
(1) a substantial likelihood of success on the merits
(2) irreparable harm unless the relief is sought
(3) harm to the plaintiff is higher if relief is not granted than the harm to the defendant if granted
(4) will not be adverse to public interest
What must a court do if granting provisional relief?
require the moving party to give security to cover the costs and damages to any party who is wrongfully enjoined or restrained
When might a TRO be granted without notice to the adverse party?
(1) specific facts clearly show immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result before the adverse party can be heard
(2) movant’s attorney certifies that she made efforts to provide notice and the reasons why notice should not be required.
May a preliminary injunction be issued without notice?
no
What must be included in a granting of provisional relief?
(1) state the reasons for issuance
(2) state specific terms for the order
(3) state the act(s) prohibited or required
What must an order for provisional relief not do
be a reference to the complaint or other document
Is a party able to join multiple claims against a single defendant?
Yes, even if they are unrelated
What may a court do if the joinder of claims may result in prejudice or impair judicial economy?
Order a separate trial