Admit

What admit means

In practice, you will see admit in pleadings, motions, orders and court rules. The definition above explains the general meaning. Even so, the meaning can shift with context. Therefore, always read it alongside the rule or document where it appears.

Where admit comes up

For example, the term appears in these procedures:

• Requests for Admission (Fed. R. Civ. P. 36): written requests asking another party to admit the truth of specific matters.
• Answer (Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(b), 12(a)): the defendant's responsive pleading. It admits or denies the allegations of the complaint and states any defenses.

How to research the term

First, read the term where it actually appears. A rule, statute or court decision may define it for its own purposes. Next, check whether your court has a local rule that uses admit in a special way. Then look at recent decisions from courts in your jurisdiction. They show how judges apply the term today. Also, remember that state law can differ from federal law. For that reason, use our state procedures guide to find your state’s rules. Finally, confirm every source is current before you rely on it.

You can read the official rule text online for free.

Related legal terms

• Request for admission: a discovery request asking another party to admit the truth of a specific matter.
• Request: asking a person, a party, the clerk or the court to do something.
• Admission: a statement acknowledging that something is true.
• Defendant: the person or entity a lawsuit is brought against.
• Pleading: a formal written statement of a party's claims or defenses. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 7(a), the pleadings are the complaint, the answer, and certain other listed documents. Motions are not pleadings.

Why precise terms matter

Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.