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The Law of Civil Procedure

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Terms

undefined, object
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What Is Civil Procedure?
⬢ Civil justice system (not criminal.). Private parties involved (generally not government though gov can act as a civil defendant).
Civil vs. Criminal
Players
Remedies
Federal vs. State systems
Federal courts’ limited jurisdiction
Rewards-
money damages, injunctions (primary 2).
⬢Procedure-
about how the decision is made.
⬢Substance-
about what the decision should be.
⬢We will talk mostly about
federal procedure.
⬢Federal courts of
limited jurisdiction (state is general jurisdiction).
U.S. Const., Art. III, Sec. 1
The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish ⬦⬝
⬢US Const. Art 3.
Empowers congress to set up inferior courts.
o Supreme-circuit-district courts. (uscourts.gov lays out courts).
Illinois State Court System
Mostly) Parallel Federal and State Court Systems
The Concept of “Jurisdiction”
Personal jurisdiction
Subject matter jurisdiction
Personal jurisdiction
is about a court’s ability to issue a decision that binds a particular individual and is a matter of due process under the 5th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution
Subject matter jurisdiction
relates to limited power of federal courts. They were created to decide only certain kinds of disputes
Courts of general vs. limited jurisdiction
⬢Personal jurisdiction-
courts power over a party.
⬢Subject matter jurisdiction-
courts authority over a specific issue. Applies primarily to fed courts. Ie limited jurisdiction.
oArising under jurisdiction,
oDiversity jurisdiction; between citizens of different states.
oDiversity jurisdiction;
between citizens of different states.
U.S. Const., Art. III, Sec. 2
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority⬦ to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party - to Controversies between two or more states - between a State and Citizens of another State; between Citizens of different States ⬦and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.⬝
Where Do Rules of Civil Procedure Come From?
The Federal Rule of Civil Procedure (FRCP)
What are they?
Statutes
Constitution
Cases
Role of precedent
Types of Cases
⬢Rules of civil procedure come from;
oFederal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Statutes
oCases (common law)
oConstitution
oRules of civil procedure come from;Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
“rules enabling act” authorizes how.
•Committee is established
•Written by supreme court
•Sent to congress if don’t act becomes policy.
Rules of civil procedure come from;o Cases (common law)
Through precedent.
Types of cases. Difference in president between district and Supreme Court. Courts are bound by the next higher court. Careful that if it was a statute that was interpreted that was changed by the legislature afterwards.
Why Have Rules of Procedure?
1:Accuracy
2:Values:Participation, Fairness, Legitimacy
3:Costs:
4:Rules vs. Standards
Why have rules of procedure?
Fairness,
due process. Decision is not judge dependent. You have a means to complain. The rules are somewhat flexible. They enhance accuracy (not guarantee).
Why have rules of procedure?
value
o Another purpose of the rule is value- even those who lose who sense it was fair are okay with the outcome.
Why have rules of procedure?
Costs-
collective vs individual
Why have rules of procedure?
Rules vs. standards
Rules are more expensive but give you more specific, understandable rule to rely on.
State courts are courts of
general jurisdiction
⬢All state APP cts have
general jurisdiction as well.
The Adversarial System
What does it mean
our system is called an “adversarial system?”
As compared to what?
to inquisitorial system
What are the pros of such a system?
Participation values/due process
Accuracy?
What are the cons?
1.Participation over accuracy? Financial limitations to one party.
2.Potential inefficiencies;you have to initiate motions for example. Based on your lawyers ability
3.Potential for disparate results
Stages of Civil Litigation
Before filing
Pleading
Discovery
Summary Judgment
Trial & Post-Trial Motions
Appeal
Res Judicata
Before filing
Investigation/research
Alternate dispute resolution
Pleading
Complaint
Pre-Answer motions
Answer/Reply
Joinder of additional parties
Discovery
Mandatory Disclosures
Depositions
Interrogatories
Document requests
Requests for admission
Summary Judgment
Disposing of cases on legal grounds
Standard: no genuine issue of material fact
Trial & Post-Trial Motions
Judge vs. Jury
Burden of persuasion (burden of production)
Judgment as a matter of law (directed verdict)
Renewed motion for judgment as a matter of law (JNOV)
New trial
Appeal
Final judgments
Interlocutory
oIn fed court now you have to
turn over certain documents and lists of witnesses. Ie Mandatory disclosure.
oJudge vs. Jury;

Sometimes you have a right to a jury and sometimes you don’t.
Burden of persuasion is on the plaintiff but not beyond a reasonable doubt. “It’s more likely than not” .
Remedies
Declarative
Specific
Compensatory
Declarative
Asking court to determine parties rights and obligations before conflict
Specific
Orders directing conduct (injunctions and orders of specific performance)
Four Functions of Pleading
1 Give Defendant Notice
2Identify Baseless Claims
3Set Each Party’s View of Facts
4Narrow Issues
Writ
was analogous to summons today. Writ confined to “form of action” There was a different one depending on the complaint. What are you complaining about. each had their own substantive rules (like now) and procedural rules (unlike now). If you make a mistake, you lose (very tough system). Many people lost on technicalities.
Declaration
was rough equivalent of complaint
Demurrer –
it’s true but legally insufficient
Demurrer was originally dispositive
yeh the facts are true but they don’t have a claim. So what!
Dilatory Pleas –
attacking procedural defects, jurisdiction, etc.
Traverse -
denial
Confession and avoidance –
affirmative defenses:it happened but there’s a good reason.
Duplicity and departure prohibited (variances)
meaning if you pled something you could not change. If you pled something and it turned out not to be true then you lost.
Searching the record
: Court looks through all documents submitted to look for claim.
Court of Equity
Precursor to modern discovery, but no live witnesses at trial
Joined all persons whose interests might be affected by judgment
Code Pleading
1 Abolished the forms of action and distinction between law and equity
2 Limited pleadings
3 Limited effects of pleading errors
4 Pleading “facts constituting the cause of action”
Ultimate facts/elements
Facts vs. conclusions vs. evidence
FRCP 8(a)
A pleading ⬦ shall contain ⬦
A pleading ⬦ shall contain ⬦
1 Short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the court’s jurisdiction depends
2 Short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief
3 Demand for judgment for the relief the pleader seeks
What kind of relief can be demanded in a pleading?
Relief in the alternative or of several different types may be demanded
Claims vs. Causes of Action

Causes of Action
To plead a “cause of action” requires pleading of each of the underlying elements that authorize the requested relief (duty, breach, proximate cause, injury, damages) – Code pleading systems
Claims vs. Causes of Action

Claims
Pleading a “claim” requires only that you use the word “negligence” (or equivalent) and give some notion of factual context and alleged injuries – FRCP
See note 10, p. 359
Alternative Procedural Systems
1 17th Century England
2 19th Century United States
3 Modern Procedure
17th Century England
Pleading Phase is Center of Gravity
Many Valid Claims Don’t Go to Trial
19th Century United States
Trial is Center of Gravity
Many Bogus Claims Do Go to Trial
Modern Procedure
Discovery is Center of Gravity
Bogus claims last beyond pleading, but may not make it to trial
Pleading Standards Under Rule 8: A complaint should not be dismissed for...
A complaint should not be dismissed for failure to state a claim unless it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of his claim which would entitle him to relief
Pleading Standards Under Rule 8: Notice pleading does not require a claimant to set out....
Notice pleading does not require a claimant to set out in detail the facts upon which he bases his claim, but only requires enough to give fair notice to the defendant
why the leaniancy on pleadings?
As the plaintiff you don’t have all the information just generally what happened. Alot of the info might be in the defendant’s hands. This allows you the opportunity to aqcuire and use it.
The point of pleading is
to satisfy legal sufficiency. Factual sufficiency comes later.
Conley v. gibson.
⬢The legally recognized claim is that they violated the railway labor act which prohibits discrimination. Claim: violated RLA by failing in duty to represent.
Notice pleading: standard.
conley v gibson
Rule 12 lists
circumstances of grounds to dismiss a claim. Correllate to what has to be done in rule 8.
Dartmouth College
⬢ allegation of racial discrimination
Is this a case about factual sufficiency or legal sufficiency? What is the difference?
olegal claim: fed statute’s prohibition. Statute doesn’t prohibit all discrimination. They treated you differently because they thought you were racists.
ofactual claim: school treated them unfairly based on generality, Court claims insufficiency for each material element of the law. The standard is higher for racial discrimination (rule 9 doesn’t allow this). Court is raising standard on own.
The court says that a complaint must contain
“factual allegations, either direct or inferential, regarding each material element necessary to sustain recovery under some actionable legal theory.”
Why didn’t the court allow the plaintiff to amend?
o Do not allow them to amend which is unusual. Usually you get to but you have to ask at the trial court level.
Langadinos v. American Airlines
Legal claim: Warsaw convention, can’t add to an accident for a clear foreseeable risk
Factual claim: continued to serve alcohol and resulted in grabbing his crotch. On “information and belief”. Means you have a reasonable basis to make conclusion but you recognize you can’t know what’s in the mind of the stewardess and other AA employees involved.
Pleading Issues: rule 8(e)(2): Alternate and ...
Alternate and inconsistent allegations are okay
Rule 8(e)(2)
Pleading Issues: rule 8: can plead on ...
Can plead “on information and belief”
See Langadinos
Pleading Issues: no magic ...
No magic words required, but need to be careful with jurisdiction
Residence doesn’t mean citizenship
Rule 8e2: alternative and inconsistent allegations are okay
You don’t know if it was person A or B. This was not okay in the old law.
Give Defendant Notice
Complaint
Motion for more definite statement
Identify Baseless Claims
Legally Baseless: 12(b)(6)
Factually Baseless: Summary Judgment
Rule 11 addresses both
Set Each Party’s View of Facts
Pleading
Discovery
Narrow Issues
12(b)(6)
Discovery
Summary Judgment
Why would interim injunctive relief be necessary?
Risk of irreparable harm
TRO under Rule 65 –
risk of immediate and irreparable harm before adverse party can be heard in opposition
Limited to 10 days by default
Bond requirement
Adverse party may move to dissolve on 2 days notice or less
Preliminary injunction
required to prevent irreparable harm prior to final disposition of the litigation
Provisional remedies:

IIR: not always granted because
it imposes a burden on the defendant which could be irreparable harm. This is why it’s exceptional.
Preliminary Injunctions
A party seeking a preliminary injunction must demonstrate:
Case has “some” likelihood of success on the merits;
No adequate remedy at law exists;
It will suffer irreparable harm if the injunction is not granted
If satisfied that these conditions met, then must consider
The harm to the nonmoving party if preliminary relief is granted; balanced against
Harm to the moving party if relief is denied
Public interest
Posner PI Formula
P x Hp > (1-P) x Hd
P = plaintiff’s likelihood of success on the merits
Hp = harm to the plaintiff if injunction erroneously denied
Hd = harm to the defendant if injunction erroneously entered
Permanent Injunctions and Declaratory Judgment:
Permanent injunctions
Plaintiff must show money damages inadequate (“no adequate remedy at law”)
Compare to “irreparable harm” requirement
Enforced through contempt proceedings
Declaratory judgment
Seeking a declaration of the rights and responsibilities of the parties
Seeking clarity before suffering injury or before the claim arises in the ordinary course
Often coupled with requests for injunctive relief
12(b)(1)-(5): Motions challenging whether case brought ....
Motions challenging whether case brought in the proper court or defendant properly brought before the court – Rule
Rule 12(b)(6): Motion to dismiss for failure to ...
Motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted –
Rule 12(b)(6): Court may not go ...
Court may not go “outside the pleadings”
Court must construe all well-pleaded facts in the light most favorable to plaintiff
No dismissal unless it appears beyond doubt that plaintiff can prove no set of facts that would entitle him to relief (Conley)
Rule 12(e): Motion for more definite ...
Motion for more definite statement –Complaint is vague; defendant unable to frame a response
Rule 12(f): motion to ....
Motion to strike – Insufficient defense or redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter
Timing of Rule 12 Motions:
Rule 12(g): can consoldidate ...
Can consolidate objections in one motion under Rule 12(g)
12(h): most objections not raised ...
Most objections not raised in a motion under 12(b) or 12(g) or in a responsive pleading are waived under 12(h) (“either or but first”):Subject matter jurisdiction
Judgment on the pleadings
Contempt proceedings; are for punishing what?
when you don’t do what you are supposed to.
Declaratory judgment: is about what?
court decides, though nothing has happened yet, what the rights and responsibilities of the parties are. In the adoption case to say whether or not law to be will violate rights. Used sometimes when party is threatening to sue and you want the court to say if you do you will lose.
Rule 12 motions:
Answer: mirror in # paragraphs responding to each allegation ie admit or deny.
File a motion: rule 12b 1-5
Service of process motions
are regarding the telling of the defendant: 12b 4 & 5, insufficiency of process (?) and insufficiency of service of process (the way you get served).
Court may not go outside the pleadings: T/F
True
Rule 12e,: motion for more definite ...
motion for more definite statement, not used very often.
Rule 12f,: put in courts not relevant just to ...
put in courts not relevant just to embarrass other party. Something that doesn’t belong and you want it removed.
rule 12 motions: These are motions that don't ...
These are motions that don’t decide whose wrong or right but to identify if case belongs in that specific court or whether its sufficient for a claim in the first place.
Timing of rule 12 motions:
20 days to file an answer or motion unless you waive service.
Rule 12g.: you can object to...
You can object to many things in a motion.
Rule 12h: you have other opportunities...
you have other opportunities to object.
Whatever you do, do it in the first one (ie motion or anwser). refers to what rule?
Most objections not raised in a motion are waived.
Exceptions: of items that can't be waived?
1 subject matter jurisdiction
2 Judgment on the pleadings. (12h, after your answer, same standard as motion to dismiss, done when it’s not clear based on complaint that case should be dismissed, requires information provided in answer)
What motions would be made under 12b as opposed to 12g?
12g is for multiple motions. 12b would only include one objection.
1b:
no, can if answer is first pleading, goes to 1st attempt. If he does, the plaintiff can move to strike (though doesn’t have to. It will go away anyway) prevents other party from using it in discovery. 12f.
1c:
12h2, a failure to state a claim is waived but not motion for judgment on the pleadings. So No, must answer first then, can do a judgment on the pleadings.
2a:
12h1, must be in the first answer or motion. It’s waived. Should have put it in answer.
2b:
(where he put PF on slide it should be PJ). Only by the leave of the court after 20 days. IF you file response quickly then plaintiff has to ask permission from court.
2c:
no. point is so vague I can’t respond. But she already answered.
2d:
yes, this under 12a is not waived (along with failure to state a claim).
How do you get a court to respond during pleadings?
Court doesn’t care what’s in the answer or complaint, you have to make a motion to get them to respond.
2e:
yes, can do it anytime. 12h3. The court can do it on it’s own.
An answer must have
rule 7a, 8b,c,d
a. admissions and denials
b. affirmative defences (8c)
c. counterclaims
can you plead motion after motion?
no, must plead motions together unless it doesn't make sense, exp. a motion on failure to state a claim would not require defense claims.
Motions under Rule 12 and 7c
1) wrong court
2)allegations do not equal a legal right to recover
3)allegations not true
4)not the whole story
5)missing a party
6)response not possible
7)claim against plaintiff
motion of wrong court
1. subject matter jurisdiction
2. personal jurisdiction
3. improper venue
4. wrong service of process (12b1-15)
motion saying allegations to not equal a legal right to recover
12b6
motion stating allegations are not true.
a denial. also a variation where you don't know if true rule 8b
motion of not whole story
other matters not alleged that defeat claim.
1. statute of limitations
2. statute of fraud applies rule 13
3. has been accord or satisfaction
4. affirmative defenses rule 8c
motion of missing party
also must sue other party or not suit. rule 12b7, 19
motion of response not possible
complaint to indicipherable
motion of complaint against plaintiff
counterclaim rule 13
Fraud rule
rule 9b
"all avertments of fraud or mistake shall be stated with particularity."
types of provisional remedies
1. interim injunctive relief
2. peranent injunctive relief
What is interim injunctive relief
To prevent an imminent threat of harm to prevent on going harm that may be irreparable.
types of interim injunctive relief
1. Temporary Restraining Order
2. Preliminary injunction
TRO components
1. ex parte
2. immediate
3. often with filing of a complaint
4. pending prel. inj.
5. FRCP 65 "immed & irrep injury" "loss or damage"
6. typically 10 days
7. Court decision not appealable
8. other party can move to dissolve
PI components
1)early in litigation
2)req notice to opp. party & hearing.
3)pending resolution of trial
4)argue that benefits of relief should be enjoyed by mover through duration of trial.
consideration in granting PI
A)likelyhood of P success in trial. Risks of harm to party's/others. Remedies at law are inadequate.
B)irreparable harm is imminent.
C) sliding scale approach A to B.
permanent injunctive relief
1. more unusual than monetary damage award.
2.typically to avoid irreparable harm where damages would not fully compensate.
permanent injunctive relief burden
to show that the damages are not sufficient not that irreparable harm will result-as in int. inj. relief.
enforcement of injunctions
1. sanctions of contempt
2.criminal contempt punishment
3.civil
sanctions of contempt
jail or monetary payment
criminal contempt punishment
1.to punish for disobeying
2.to remedy insult to courts authority
3.is backward looking
4.burden of proof on claimant
civil contempt punishment
1.to aid P
2. to bring D into future compliance.
3.more forward looking
4.on going fine or indefinate jail time until compliance (clinton deal)
declatory judgments
declares rights.
Without info stuff to form a belief.
Other parties may have info. You answer as to what you know at a particular time and you have to go back and change it when you do know.
Affirmative defense: essentially say ...
yes but..... (as opposed to a denial).
Rule 8c:not denying factual allegation but ...
not denying factual allegations but there are other things you want to know that change
La Font case p 387.
If you wanted to say this was a gift then you should have made it an affirmative defense. Any other matter refers to existing statutes. Under utah law, it’s a defense if the money is a gift. But has to depend on facts that the P would know, so here it was ruled that it was not an affirmative defense. So D can raise it whenever they want.
Gomez,p. 390
cop fired, deprived of due process. Did not get an investigation. Must claim facts that show bad faith by the department.
Should he have to say bad faith is an affirmative defense.
P really can’t know what is going on in the defenses knowledge. This is a good example of a yes but...
traditional discussions regaing the allocation of the burdens of peading describe three critical factors:A) fairness, in terms of ...
a) fairness, in terms of who has easier access to information and the ability to raise the issue.
B) policy, in terms of ...
b) policy, in terms of whether the particular claim should be encouraged or discouraged.
C) probabilities, in terms of ...
c) probabilities, in terms of which party's situation is more likely to be the norm (with th eparty whose situation deviates from it having to allege the matter).
Counterclaims:
asserting your own claim against the P. Rule 13.
Must you? why not in a separate law suit?
Yes!, Closely related to P claim. If it’s cumpulsory then has to raise it as counter claim or you don’t get to. If it’s permissive, you can bring it as a counter claim but you don’t have to. Permissive v. cumpulsory.
Rule 3: A civil action is ...
A civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court
Rule 7: Pleadings allowed or ...
Pleadings allowed; form of motions
Rule 7a is about what?
Pleadings
Pleadings
*there will be a complaint and answer.
*a reply to a counterclaim
*An answer to a cross-claim
*A 3rd party complaint and answer.
*court may order a reply to an answer or a 3rd party answer.
*no other pleadings are allowed.
Rule 7b is about what?
Motions and other papers
Motions and other papers
*applications to court for an order will by done by a motion.
*In writing unless at hearing or during trial.
*shall state the grounds with particularity.
*Say relief or order sought.
*
Rule 7c is about what?
Demurrers, Pleas,etc., Abolished
Rule 8 is about what?
general rules of pleadings.
Rule 8a is about what?
claim for relief
claim for releif
1. short and plain statement of the grounds of jurisdiction to support it.
2. "of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.
3. demand for judgment for the relief the pleader seeks. Relief in the alternative or of several different types may be demanded.
Rule 8b is about what?
Defenses; Form of denials
Defenses; form of denials
*state defenses to ea claim in short and plain terms.
*admit or deny advertments.
*if don't know can say "w/o knowledge or info sufficient.
*denials will fairly meet the substance of avertments.
*Can deny in part but must specifiy.
*Can deny specific claims or group of claims
Rule 8c is about what?
Affirmative Defenses
affirmative defenses
*accord & satisfaction; arbitration and award; assumption of risk; contributory neglagence; discharge in bankruptcy, duress, estoppel, failur of consideration, fraud, illegality, injury by fellow servant, laches, license, payment, release, res judicata, statute of frauds, statute of limitations; waiver, and any other matter constituting an avoidance or affirmative defense. If you give the wrong defense by mistake the court will treat it as if it where done correctly.
Rule 8d is about what?
Effect of failure to deny
effect of failure to deny
*if you fail to deny something that requires a response then=admittance, if doesn't req response but don't deny=taken as a denied or avoided. doesn't count for damage amount.
Rule 8e: pleading to be ...
Pleading to be conscise and direct; consistency.
Pleading to be conscise and direct; consistency.
1. shall be simple, consice, and direct.
2. can say as many statements of claim or defense alternatively or hypothetically. statements do not have to be consistent.
Rule 8f is about what?
construction of pleadings
construction of pleadings
all pleadings will meet substantial justice.
Rule 9 is about what?
Pleading special matters
Rule 9a is about what?
Capacity
capacity: it is not necessary to...
* it is not necessary to show the capacity of a party just the jurisdiction of the court.
*issues of capacity are done by specific negative averment and must include in particularity you know of.
averments are what?
a positive declaration or affirmation of fact.
9b is about what?
fraud, mistake, condition of the mind.
fraud, mistake, condition of the mind. Shall be ...
averments of fraud or mistake shall be stated with particularity. Any guilty mental state may be averd generally.
9c is about what?
conditions precedent
conditions precedent
can aver generally that they have occured but a denial must be in particularity
9d is about what?
official document or act
official document or act
________________________
sufficient to say document or act was in compliance with law.
Rule 12 Motions challenging whether case ...
Motions challenging whether case brought in the proper court or defendant properly brought before the court – Rule 12(b)(1)-(5)
Motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted – Rule 12(b)(6)
Court may not go “outside the pleadings”
Court must construe all well-pleaded facts in the light most favorable to plaintiff
No dismissal unless it appears beyond doubt that plaintiff can prove no set of facts that would entitle him to relief (Conley)
Motion for more definite statement – Rule 12(e)
Complaint is vague; defendant unable to frame a response
Motion to strike – Rule 12(f)
Insufficient defense or redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter
Rule 12 Motions: it must be assumed that the plaintiff...
It must be assumed that the plaintiff would be able to prove all the facts it alleges, even if it appears unlikely. Defendant must concede those facts for purposes of the motion
Timing of Rule 12 Motions: can consolidate ....
Can consolidate objections in one motion under Rule 12(g)
Most objections not raised in a motion under 12(b) or 12(g) or in a responsive pleading are waived under 12(h) (“either or but first”)
Most objections not raised in a motion under 12(b) or 12(g) or in a responsive pleading are waived under 12(h) (“either or but first”)
What motions would be made under 12(b) as opposed to 12(g)?
Subject matter jurisdiction cannot be waived
Judgment on the pleadings vs. failure to state a claim for which relief can be granted
Paul v. Drake
P sues D for injuries arising from an accident. D moves to dismiss for improper service of process and the motion is denied.
P sues D for injuries arising from an accident. D moves to dismiss for improper service of process and the motion is denied.
Can D now move to dismiss for lack of PJ?
Can D include the defense of lack of PJ in his answer?
Dan D now move to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted?
Can D include the defense of failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted in his answer?
Paula v. Daisy
P sues D for injuries arising from an accident. Daisy files an answer which denies various allegations in the complaint [and does nothing else].
P sues D for injuries arising from an accident. Daisy files an answer which denies various allegations in the complaint [and does nothing else].
Can D now move to dismiss for lack of PJ?
If not, can D amend her answer to allege lack of PF, assuming it is 40 days after her answer was served?
Can D make a motion under Rule 12(e) for a more definite statement?
Can D make a motion for judgment on the pleadings on the ground that P improperly failed to join T as required by Rule 19?
Can D make a motion to dismiss for lack of SMJ?
Answer
Shall admit or deny the averments
Denials shall fairly meet the substance of the averments denied
Unless the pleader intends in good faith to controvert all the averments of the pleading, the pleader may make denials as specific de
Denials shall fairly meet the substance of the averments denied
Unless the pleader intends in good faith to controvert all the averments of the pleading, the pleader may make denials as specific denials of of designated averments or paragraphs, or may generally deny all averments except those expressly admitted
Denials subject to Rule 11(b)(4)
Answer part 2
Without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to truth
Recall that many of the things mentioned as possible motions (personal jurisdiction, subject matter jurisdiction, venue, etc.) can simply be included in the answer rather than filing a motion. What is the difference?
General denials, which are still allowed in some states, allow the defendant to simply deny everything and force the plaintiff to “prove it”
Sanctions based on what?
Look closely at Rule 11(b)(4) and read in connection with Rule 8(b)
What do you actually have to do in the answer? What are the advantages, disadvantages of requiring this kind of response?
Certainly can help narrow issues.
As a plaintiff, is there any tactical decision you would make based on these requirements?
Might plead short, specific paragraphs with more detail to get admissions
Why have general denials?
Short time to respond, availability of discovery.
Why does a defendant want a general denial?
One, don’t want to give away information, but two, also don’t want to get tied down as to what you will have to show because of general denial
How do you know if constitutes an avoidance or affirmative defense?
Is it an element of the claim?
Does it introduce new facts or simply deny/rebut plaintiff’s allegations?
Does it depend on facts peculiarly in the defendant’s knowledge?
LaFont v. Decker-Angel
Gomez v. Toledo - Court reverses a
12(b)(6) dismissal of a 1983 action (entered because the plaintiff did not plead the defendant’s bad faith), holding that good faith is an affirmative defense
Why does the court think it is an affirmative defense?
It’s not listed in 8©.
statute doesn’t list bad faith as an element
Limited sphere in which a good faith defense may be inferred
Facts peculiarly in defendant’s control HOW?
Rehnquist’s concurrence leaves open the possibility that the burden of proof might be different that the burden of pleading.
What about affirmative defenses not listed in 8(c) – how do you know if those are affirmative defenses?
See problem 5c
Answer affirmative defenses continued.

Without info stuff to form a belief.
Other parties may have info. You answer as to what you know at a particular time and you have to go back and change it when you do know.
Affirmative defense:
yes but..... (as opposed to a denial).
Rule 8c: not denying factual allegations but...
not denying factual allegations but there are other things you want to know that change
Gomez, cop fired, deprived of due process. Did not get an investigation.
Must claim facts that show bad faith by the department. Should he have to say bad faith is an affirmative defense. P really can’t know what is going on in the defenses knowledge. This is a good example of a yes but...
Must you? Yes!, why not in a separate law suit?
Closely related to P claim. If it’s cumpulsory then has to raise it as counter claim or you don’t get to. If it’s permissive, you can bring it as a counter claim but you don’t have to. Permissive v. cumpulsory.
Difference between a legal conclusion and a factual conclusion:
Remember you don’t have to respond to legal conclusion but you do have to respond to factual conclusions.
Assertions about whether something violates a law is a
legal conclusion which you don’t have to respond to because that’s why you are going to court.
Blunt case comment: if they would have divided their complaints up more then
Blunt’s answer would have addressed specifically factual conclusions.
Dif. Between a reply and answer.
Same rules apply to reply, but req. as a reply to any specific counterclaim.
Cross claim rule 13g:claims among people ...
claims among people on same side of the case. A claim could be both a cross claim and a counter claim.
Kyle v. Morton High School
S ct. asks for operative facts.
This is in contradiction to req. for notice pleadings. Motivated by same policy concerns of Dartmouth Case.
Swierkiewicz v. sorema n. a.
Claimed he was fired for age discrimination. S Ct.
[Court says you can’t have heightened pleading requirements in employment discrimination cases] {Basically says if it’s not in rule 9, then heightened pleading is not required}.
What’s the point of giving someone qualified immunity for a government official?
To give them a zone that they can operate without being worried about being sued. The zone is, as long as they have reasonable belief that what their doing is right then immunity. Anything outside that then no immunity.
Relation back of claims example in class:
Adding additional claims back against existing party. 15A. same conduct of original pleading so okay.
Answer
Shall admit or deny the averments
Denials shall
fairly meet the substance of the averments denied
Unless the pleader intends in good faith to controvert all the averments of the pleading,
the pleader may make denials as
specific denials of designated averments or paragraphs, or may generally deny all averments except those expressly admitted
Denials subject to Rule 11(b)(4)
Rule 11(b)(4): without knowledge or
Without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to truth
Federal rules don’t typically allow general denials, subject to possible sanctions
Sanctions based on what?
Look closely at Rule 11(b)(4) and read in connection with Rule 8(b)
Affirmative Defenses
Rule 8(c) lists how many defenses
19 defenses
19 defenses that must be
that must be set forth affirmatively, plus “any other matter constituting an avoidance or affirmative defense”
LaFont v. Decker-Angel
Gomez v. Toledo - Court does what
reverses a 12(b)(6) dismissal of a 1983 action (entered because the plaintiff did not plead the defendant’s bad faith), holding that good faith is an affirmative defense
Counterclaims – Rule ?
13
rule 13. is any claim _____ has against _______
Any claim the pleader has against any opposing party
rule 13. compulsory if
Compulsory if it arises out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject of the opposing party’s claim and does not require the presence of parties of whom the court cannot acquire jurisdiction
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