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Civil Litigation:
Process and Procedures

      Chapter Eight
        Pleadings
Pleadings
          Documents filed
                With a court
                To commence
                Or respond to a lawsuit
          Must conform to
                State or federal Rules of Civil Procedure
                Local court rules
                Judges’ information sheets

Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures       © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                  All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             2
Rules of Civil Procedure
    Insure that trials are conducted fairly &
     produce a just result
    Federal, state & local
    Address:
           Pleading, discovery & trial procedures
           Filing deadlines
           Document format


Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures       © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                  All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             3
Statute of Limitations
    Time frame within a party must bring a
     suit
    Fundamental fairness can extend the time
     to begin with the discovery (knew or
     should have known) of the injury, rather
     than the date the injury was received.
    May be extended for minors


Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures       © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                  All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             4
Commencing a Suit
    Depending on the jurisdiction, an action
     commences with a
           Complaint
           Writ of Summons
           Summons
           Petition
           Notice to Plead
           Cover or Case Designation sheet

Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures       © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                  All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             5
Notice Pleading
    Federal & some state courts
    Must give notice of the event & the claims
     arising from that event (short & plain
     statement)
    The basis for the claim & damages will be
     more thoroughly identified during
     discovery


Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures       © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                  All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             6
Fact Pleading
     Must state
            Material fact on which the cause of action or
             defense is based
            Averments of fraud or mistake
            Time, place & items of special damage
            Conditions precedent
            Jurisdiction
     Must attach documents that form the basis
      of the claim

Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures       © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                  All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             7
Notice v. Fact Pleading
    Notice pleading requires that enough
     information be included to give the
     defendant notice of the events & claims
     against him
    Fact pleading requires that all relevant
     facts & claims be included in the
     complaint


Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures       © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                  All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             8
The Summons
    A federal summons can be downloaded,
     copied & prepared
    It advises the defendant
           Of the lawsuit
           The time within which a response must be
            filed
           What will happen if there is no response
           How to obtain a lawyer

Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures       © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                  All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             9
Summons Preparation
    Completed by the legal team
    The clerk of court adds the filing information
           Case number
           Judge assigned
    The return of service form is on the back
    The summons & complaint are served, and
     the return of service is completed


Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             10
Civil Cover Sheet
    Summary page used by data entry
     personnel
           Names & addresses of the parties
           Counsel contact information
           Types of claims asserted
           Basis of jurisdiction
           Class action or related claims?


Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             11
Drafting the Complaint
    Caption
           Identity of the parties
           Jurisdiction & venue of the court
           Document title
           Docket Number provided by Clerk
    Numbered paragraphs
           One fact per paragraph is ideal, but difficult


Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             12
Jurisdictional Claim
    Identify parties & situations enough to
     establish personal jurisdiction
    Describe claim to establish subject matter
     jurisdiction
           Jurisdictional limits on amount in controversy
            vary
           Courts may be limited in the types of claims
            they can hear (juvenile, probate)

Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             13
Elements of
the Cause of Action
    Each cause of action appears as a
     separate count
    Each count need not plead elements
     individually in a notice pleading
     jurisdiction
    Each count must contain all the necessary
     elements in fact pleadings


Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             14
Counts
    Counts will describe each separate cause
     of action
    Complaints divided into counts for clarity
    Case, if heard by court, will be decided for
     each count




Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             15
Damage Allegation
    Must claim harm
           Personal physical injury
           Property damage
           Monetary losses
                  Out-of-pocket expenses
                  Lost wages
                  Loss of earning capacity




Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             16
Prayer for Relief
    “Wherefore” clause
    Related to damages
    Asks the court for relief, based upon the
     alleged harm
“Wherefore the plaintiff demands judgment against
     the defendant in a sum exceeding $75,000 plus
     interest, costs, attorney’s fees, and such other relief
     as the court deems reasonable.”

Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             17
Unliquidated damages

    Unliquidated damages are not calculable
     by mathematical calculation (pain and
     suffering)
    In situations with unliquidated damages,
     some court rules will not permit including
     a specific amount (example: $12,000,000)
     in request


Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             18
Signatures
    Attorney certification
           Familiar with facts & claims
           Based on bona fide basis in law
           No improper purpose
           Facts have been investigated
           Believes the information to be true & accurate
           Can be sanctioned for frivolous claims


Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             19
Verification
    Client signature
           Subject to perjury
           Client asserts the truthfulness of the claims
           Not required in all jurisdictions




Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             20
Filing Fees
    Must be paid with filing
    Vary by jurisdictions
    May be possible to file & pay online
    Indigent parties may seek waiver (in
     forma pauperis)
    After-hours filing may be possible in some
     jurisdictions

Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             21
Electronic Filing
    Rules vary by jurisdiction
    Must submit materials in format specified
           Word
           WordPerfect
           PDF, etc.
    Both parties should consent to electronic
     filing where it is an option


Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             22
Service of Process
    Insures due process: notice of the suit, an
     opportunity to be heard
    Generally, service is performed by
           An adult (frequently the sheriff)
           Not a party
           At recipient’s place of business or residence
           To an adult
    Service is confirmed by affidavit
    Right to service can be waived
Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             23
Calculating deadlines
    For a federal deadline of 20 days:
                    S            M           T        W        T             F             S
                                           served Begin             2             3             4
                                                  count
                         5            6           7        8        9            10            11

                        12           13          14    15          16            17            18

                        19 Holiday Due
                                   date



Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures                            © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                                       All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                                        24
Amend or
Supplement the Complaint
    New information after filing
    Correct or add material
    Before a responsive pleading, no
     permission required
    After a responsive pleading, only upon a
     motion granted by the court



Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures        © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
                                                                                   All Rights Reserved.
Goldman/Hughes                             25

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Chapter 8 pleadings civ lit 2nd

  • 1. Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures Chapter Eight Pleadings
  • 2. Pleadings  Documents filed  With a court  To commence  Or respond to a lawsuit  Must conform to  State or federal Rules of Civil Procedure  Local court rules  Judges’ information sheets Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 2
  • 3. Rules of Civil Procedure  Insure that trials are conducted fairly & produce a just result  Federal, state & local  Address:  Pleading, discovery & trial procedures  Filing deadlines  Document format Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 3
  • 4. Statute of Limitations  Time frame within a party must bring a suit  Fundamental fairness can extend the time to begin with the discovery (knew or should have known) of the injury, rather than the date the injury was received.  May be extended for minors Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 4
  • 5. Commencing a Suit  Depending on the jurisdiction, an action commences with a  Complaint  Writ of Summons  Summons  Petition  Notice to Plead  Cover or Case Designation sheet Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 5
  • 6. Notice Pleading  Federal & some state courts  Must give notice of the event & the claims arising from that event (short & plain statement)  The basis for the claim & damages will be more thoroughly identified during discovery Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 6
  • 7. Fact Pleading  Must state  Material fact on which the cause of action or defense is based  Averments of fraud or mistake  Time, place & items of special damage  Conditions precedent  Jurisdiction  Must attach documents that form the basis of the claim Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 7
  • 8. Notice v. Fact Pleading  Notice pleading requires that enough information be included to give the defendant notice of the events & claims against him  Fact pleading requires that all relevant facts & claims be included in the complaint Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 8
  • 9. The Summons  A federal summons can be downloaded, copied & prepared  It advises the defendant  Of the lawsuit  The time within which a response must be filed  What will happen if there is no response  How to obtain a lawyer Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 9
  • 10. Summons Preparation  Completed by the legal team  The clerk of court adds the filing information  Case number  Judge assigned  The return of service form is on the back  The summons & complaint are served, and the return of service is completed Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 10
  • 11. Civil Cover Sheet  Summary page used by data entry personnel  Names & addresses of the parties  Counsel contact information  Types of claims asserted  Basis of jurisdiction  Class action or related claims? Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 11
  • 12. Drafting the Complaint  Caption  Identity of the parties  Jurisdiction & venue of the court  Document title  Docket Number provided by Clerk  Numbered paragraphs  One fact per paragraph is ideal, but difficult Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 12
  • 13. Jurisdictional Claim  Identify parties & situations enough to establish personal jurisdiction  Describe claim to establish subject matter jurisdiction  Jurisdictional limits on amount in controversy vary  Courts may be limited in the types of claims they can hear (juvenile, probate) Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 13
  • 14. Elements of the Cause of Action  Each cause of action appears as a separate count  Each count need not plead elements individually in a notice pleading jurisdiction  Each count must contain all the necessary elements in fact pleadings Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 14
  • 15. Counts  Counts will describe each separate cause of action  Complaints divided into counts for clarity  Case, if heard by court, will be decided for each count Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 15
  • 16. Damage Allegation  Must claim harm  Personal physical injury  Property damage  Monetary losses  Out-of-pocket expenses  Lost wages  Loss of earning capacity Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 16
  • 17. Prayer for Relief  “Wherefore” clause  Related to damages  Asks the court for relief, based upon the alleged harm “Wherefore the plaintiff demands judgment against the defendant in a sum exceeding $75,000 plus interest, costs, attorney’s fees, and such other relief as the court deems reasonable.” Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 17
  • 18. Unliquidated damages  Unliquidated damages are not calculable by mathematical calculation (pain and suffering)  In situations with unliquidated damages, some court rules will not permit including a specific amount (example: $12,000,000) in request Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 18
  • 19. Signatures  Attorney certification  Familiar with facts & claims  Based on bona fide basis in law  No improper purpose  Facts have been investigated  Believes the information to be true & accurate  Can be sanctioned for frivolous claims Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 19
  • 20. Verification  Client signature  Subject to perjury  Client asserts the truthfulness of the claims  Not required in all jurisdictions Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 20
  • 21. Filing Fees  Must be paid with filing  Vary by jurisdictions  May be possible to file & pay online  Indigent parties may seek waiver (in forma pauperis)  After-hours filing may be possible in some jurisdictions Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 21
  • 22. Electronic Filing  Rules vary by jurisdiction  Must submit materials in format specified  Word  WordPerfect  PDF, etc.  Both parties should consent to electronic filing where it is an option Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 22
  • 23. Service of Process  Insures due process: notice of the suit, an opportunity to be heard  Generally, service is performed by  An adult (frequently the sheriff)  Not a party  At recipient’s place of business or residence  To an adult  Service is confirmed by affidavit  Right to service can be waived Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 23
  • 24. Calculating deadlines  For a federal deadline of 20 days: S M T W T F S served Begin 2 3 4 count 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Holiday Due date Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 24
  • 25. Amend or Supplement the Complaint  New information after filing  Correct or add material  Before a responsive pleading, no permission required  After a responsive pleading, only upon a motion granted by the court Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures © 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved. Goldman/Hughes 25