Kaplan Pgs 30-60 Pretrial Procedures Flashcards
What are the types of pleadings that are allowed under the FRCP?
- complaints
– answers to complaints, counter claims, cross claims, and third party complaints
– third-party complaints
– replies to answers, if ordered by the court
If you want to initiate a lawsuit, what is the first step?
File a complaint
A pleading that states a claim for relief must contain what three things?
– A short and plain statement of the grounds for the courts jurisdiction
– a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the person is entitled to relief (must give sufficient factual matter to state a plausible claim that is more than a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully)
– a demand for relief
Is it possible for a pleading to have inconsistent claims or defenses?
Yes, this is determined by the trier of fact
If there is a technical defect in the pleadings in federal court, what do the courts usually do?
Just ignore it if it doesn’t affect a substantial right
What are special matters where you must plead with particularity?
– Capacity or authority to sue if required to show that the court has jurisdiction
– fraud, mistake, or condition of the mind
– conditions precedent when denying that the condition occurred
– time and place when testing the sufficiency of a pleading
– special damages
What is an answer?
When the responding party either admits or denies the allegations and lists any defences he might have
What is necessary for a general denial?
The responding party must intend in good faith to deny all of the allegations in the pleading
If a defendant fails to deny an allegation in his answer, what happens?
It is deemed to be admitted
What does an affirmative defense do?
Relies on factual issues that are not presented in the complaint. It doesn’t necessarily deny the complaint, but it please additional facts
Which affirmative defences must be pleaded in a responsive pleading?
I FACE the CRASS PILL WARD - illegality – fraud – accord and satisfaction – contributory negligence – estoppel - failure of consideration – release – arbitration and award – statute of frauds – statute of limitations – payment – injury by fellow servants – laches – licenses – waiver – assumption of the risk – rest judicata – duress
What is the mnemonic to help remember affirmative defences that must be pleated in a responsive pleading?
I FACE the CRASS PILL WARD
Affirmative defences that raise objections based on jurisdiction or procedural matters must be raised when?
In either a responsive pleading or in a pre-answer motion
What is a pre-answer motion?
– A motion to dismiss
– a motion for a more definite statement
– a motion to strike
When must pre-answer motions be raised?
Before a responsive pleading is made
What are the objections that can be raised either in a pre-answer motion to dismiss or in a responsive pleading?
– Lack of SMJ – lack of PJ – venue – insufficient process – insufficient service – failure to state a claim – failure to join a party
How long do you have to file an answer?
Within 21 days of service of process
Does the 21 day period for an answer to be filed include the date of service or weekends and holidays?
It does not include the date of service, but it does include weekends and holidays. If the 21st day is on a weekend or holiday, the answer must be filed on the next business day
If service of process was waived, how long do you have to file your answer?
- within 60 days after the request for a waiver was sent
– or within 90 days if you were outside of a judicial district of the United States
If a dependent responds to a plaintiffs complaint by filing a pre-answer motion that gets denied, how long does he have to file his answer after that?
He must file within 14 days of the denial
What kind of stuff does rule 11 not apply to?
Discovery matter: discovery request, response, motion, etc.
What is the purpose of provisional relief?
To maintain the status quo and prevent irreparable damage or wasting of assets during litigation or arbitration
Provisional relief consists of what two remedies?
– Temporary restraining orders
– preliminary injunctions
Why is provisional relief considered to be an extraordinary remedy?
Because it is issued before a decision on the merits and it provides immediate or quick but short term injunctive relief
When is a temporary restraining order issued?
In an emergency situation when the injunction must issue before a hearing, and it lasts only a few days for the parties to seek for luminary injunction
How long does a preliminary injunction usually last?
Until a decision can be made on the merits
What must be established before a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction will be issued?
Dash is substantial likelihood of success on the merits
– irreparable harm will be suffered unless the remedy sought is issued
– the harm to the plaintiff if either is denied is greater than the harm to the defendant if the remedy is granted
– the provisional remedy, if granted, will not be adverse to the public interest
Is it possible to issue a temporary restraining order without written or oral notice to the adverse party?
Yes
If a temporary restraining order is issued without written or oral notice to the adverse party, what needs to happen?
A motion for a preliminary injunction must be set for hearing at the earliest possible time, and if the party that got the temporary restraining order doesn’t proceed with the motion for a preliminary injunction, the restraining order must be dissolved
What is the only time that a temporary restraining order will issue without notice?
– If specific facts are given in an affidavit or verified complaint that’s not an immediate and irreparable injury or loss they will results to the person before the adverse party can be heard in opposition, and
– the movements attorney certifies in writing any efforts that were made to give notice and the reasons why notice should not be required
What must a temporary restraining order issued without notice include?
– The date and hour it was issued
– the injury and state wide is irreparable
– the reason that the order was issued without notice
– it must be probably filed in the clerks office and entered in the router
How long does a temporary restraining order that was issued without notice last?
A maximum of 14 days, but the court can for good cause extend the duration or the adverse party can consent to a longer extension
Can a preliminary injunction be issued by a court without giving notice to the adverse party?
No
Any evidence that is entered on emotion for a preliminary injunction that would be admissible at trial becomes what?
Part of the trial record and doesn’t have to be repeated at trial
Who are the people that are bound by a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order?
– The parties
– the party’s officers, servants, agents, employees, and attorneys
– anyone that is an active concert with anyone described above
If you fail to raise a compulsory counterclaim, what happens?
You have waived the right to assert it in the future
Do federal courts have supplemental jurisdiction over compulsory and permissive counter claims?
Only over compulsive compulsory, not over permissive because for permissive they do not arise out of the same transaction or occurrence, so there has to be an independent ground for federal jurisdiction before federal court will hear a permissive counterclaim
What is required for a federal court to have jurisdiction over a cross claim?
Either there must be an independent basis for jurisdiction through federal question or diversity, or it must arise are the same transaction or occurrence as the original claim or counter claim
What is an impleader claim?
This allows a defending party to shift all or part of the liability owed to the plaintiff to a new party who is or may be liable for it