pleading

any defensive pleading that affirms facts rather than merely denying the facts alleged by the plaintiff

a pleading that alleges facts so separate that it is difficult to determine which facts the person intends to rely on

the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims

(criminal law) a pleading describing some wrong or offense

(civil law) the first pleading of the plaintiff setting out the facts on which the claim for relief is based

any pleading that fails to conform in form or substance to minimum standards of accuracy or sufficiency

(law) any pleading that attacks the legal sufficiency of the opponent's pleadings

(law) a pleading by the defendant in reply to a plaintiff's surrejoinder

(law) a pleading made by a plaintiff in reply to the defendant's plea or answer

(law) a pleading made by a defendant in response to the plaintiff's replication

(law) a pleading that alleges new facts in avoidance of the opposing allegations

(law) a pleading by the plaintiff in reply to the defendant's rebutter

(law) a pleading by the plaintiff in reply to the defendant's rejoinder

(law) an answer by a defendant that fails to admit or deny the allegations set forth in the complaint

(law) an answer of `no contest' by a defendant who does not admit guilt but that subjects him to conviction

(law) a defendant's answer by a factual matter (as distinguished from a demurrer)

the written statement of a plaintiff explaining the cause of action (the defamation) and any relief he seeks

a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt