{"id":9007,"date":"2017-11-21T21:31:09","date_gmt":"2017-11-21T21:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/?page_id=9007"},"modified":"2023-02-20T04:08:39","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T04:08:39","slug":"complaint-or-petition-the-initial-pleading-that-starts-a-civil-action-and-states-the-basis-for-the-courts-jurisdiction-the-basis-for-the-plaintiffs-claim-the-demand-for-relief","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/reunitethestates.org\/?page_id=9007","title":{"rendered":"Civil Complaint – commences the civil action, stating the basis for the court’s jurisdiction, the plaintiff’s claim, and specified demand(s) for relief"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fed. R. Civ. P Rule 3<\/a>:\u00a0 \u201cA civil action is commenced by filing a<\/span> complaint<\/a> with the court.<\/span>\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

complaint<\/span>:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1. The initial pleading<\/a> that starts a civil action<\/a> and states the basis for the court’s jurisdiction<\/a>, the basis for the plaintiff’s claim, and the demand for relief. \u00a0In some states (cases), this pleading<\/a> is called a petition.<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>[1]<\/span><\/p>\n

1. The initial pleading<\/a> in a civil action , in which the plaintiff alleges a cause of action<\/a> and asks that the wrong<\/a> done to him be remedied by the court.<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0[2]<\/span><\/p>\n

well-pleaded complaint<\/strong><\/span> – (1954) An original or initial pleading<\/a> that sufficiently sets forth a claim<\/a> for relief<\/a> \u2014 by including the grounds for the court\u2019s jurisdiction<\/a>, the basis for the relief claimed, and a demand for judgment \u2014 so that’a defendant<\/a> may draft an answer<\/a> that is responsive to the issues presented.\u00a0 *\u00a0 In federal court, a well-pleaded complaint must raise a controlling issue of federal law, or else the court will not have\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>federal-question jurisdiction<\/a> over the lawsuit.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

short-form complaint<\/span> –<\/strong> (1911) A simplified, convenient, indorsed complaint typically used by pro se litigants.\u00a0 *\u00a0 As contrasted with a formal complaint, a short-form complaint may be used in certain actions normally requiring the use of a formal complaint, but maybe\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>construed as conferring jurisdiction while containing a defect, curable by amendment.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

third-party complaint<\/span> <\/strong>– (1938) A complaint filed by the defendant<\/a> against a third party, alleging that the third party may be liable for some or all of the damages that the plaintiff is trying to recover from the defendant<\/a>.\u00a0 Fed.. R. Civ. P. 14<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>[1]<\/span><\/p>\n

Civil Complaint Official Form<\/strong><\/span><\/a>
\nand self-help walkthrough<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

How to Amend or Add Information to a Complaint that was Previously Filed<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

References:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Disclaimer:<\/span><\/span><\/strong> All material throughout this website is pertinent to people everywhere, and is being utilized in accordance with Fair Use<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

[1]:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Black’s Law Dictionary <\/a><\/span><\/strong>Deluxe Tenth Edition<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/em> by Henry Campbell Black, Editor in Chief Bryan A. Garner. ISBN: 978-0-314-61300-4<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

******************************************<\/span><\/p>\n

Back to Types of Pleadings<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Essential Terminology<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Intro to U.S. Law<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Legal Precepts Adopted (from Europe) into The U.S. Constitution<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a7 <\/span><\/strong>\u00a7<\/span><\/span><\/strong> of Law Embedded into the Constitution Pursuant to the American Revolution<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Indian Country Law<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Federal Rules of Procedure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Like this website?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Please Support Our Fundraiser<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

or donate via\u00a0PayPal<\/a>:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n