Pleading (United States)

Civil procedure in the United States
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Doctrines of civil procedure
Jurisdiction
Subject-matter (Federal question Diversity Supplemental Removal) Personal (In personam In rem Quasi in rem)
Venue
Change of venue Forum non conveniens
Pleadings
Complaint (Cause of action Case Information Statement Class action (2005 Act) ) Demurrer Answer (affirmative defense) Reply Counterclaim Crossclaim Joinder Indispensable party Impleader Interpleader Intervention Other motions
Pretrial procedure
Discovery Initial conference Interrogatories Depositions Request for admissions Request for production
Resolution without trial
Default judgment Summary judgment Voluntary dismissal Involuntary dismissal Settlement
Trial
Parties plaintiff defendant Pro se Jury (voir dire) Burden of proof Judgment (As a matter of law (JMOL) Renewed JMOL Notwithstanding verdict (JNOV) Motion to set aside De novo (new trial) ) Remedy (Injunction Damages Attorney's fee (American rule English rule) Declaratory judgment)
Appeal
Mandamus Certiorari

Pleading in United States Federal courts is governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

According to Rule 7, only these pleadings are allowed:

A complaint;
An answer to a complaint;
An answer to a counterclaim designated as a counterclaim;
An answer to a crossclaim;
A third-party complaint;
An answer to a third-party complaint; and
If the court orders one, a reply to an answer.

Any other document that requests a court order is referred to as a motion.