General (not jurisdiction-specific)

The defendant’s pleading responding to the complaint, admitting or denying each allegation and stating defenses.

A court-issued document that notifies a defendant of a lawsuit and the time to respond. It is served with the complaint.

Formally delivering the summons and complaint to a defendant in a way the rules allow.

A request asking the court for an order. In federal court, motions must generally be in writing, state the grounds with particularity and state the relief sought.

The party who files a motion.

The party responding to a motion.

The person or entity that starts a civil lawsuit by filing a complaint.

The person or entity a lawsuit is brought against.

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.