Rule · Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Fed. R. Civ. P. 7 — Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions and Other Papers
Fed. R. Civ. P. 7
- Type
- Rule
- Source
- Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
- Jurisdiction
- Federal
- Date
- 2026-10-22
(a) Pleadings. Only these pleadings are allowed: (1) a complaint; (2) an answer to a complaint; (3) an answer to a counterclaim designated as a counterclaim; (4) an answer to a crossclaim; (5) a third-party complaint; (6) an answer to a third-party complaint; and (7) if the court orders one, a reply to an answer. (b) Motions and Other Papers. (1) In General. A request for a court order must be made by motion.
Citator
Fed. R. Civ. P. 7 — Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions and Other Papers is in force in the current edition of the Code, and nothing recorded condemns it.
(a) Pleadings. Only these pleadings are allowed: (1) a complaint; (2) an answer to a complaint; (3) an answer to a counterclaim designated as a counterclaim; (4) an answer to a crossclaim; (5) a third-party complaint; (6) an answer to a third-party complaint; and (7) if the court orders one, a reply to an answer. (b) Motions and Other Papers. (1) In General. A request for a court order must be made by motion. The motion must: (A) be in writing unless made during a hearing or trial; (B) state with particularity the grounds for seeking the order; and (C) state the relief sought. (2) Form. The rules governing captions and other matters of form in pleadings apply to motions and other papers.