In the
law, a
pleading is one of the papers filed with a
court in a
civil action[?], such as a
complaint, a
demurrer[?], or an
answer. A
complaint is the first pleading filed by a
plaintiff which initiates a lawsuit. A complaint sets forth the relevant
allegations of fact[?] that give rise to one or more legal
causes of action[?] along with a
prayer for relief[?] whereas a
demurrer is a pleading filed by a
defendant which challenges the legal sufficiency of a complaint and an
answer is a pleading which admits or denies the specific allegations set forth in a complaint and constitutes a
general appearance[?] by a defendant. A defendant may also file a
cross-complaint[?] as well as bringing other parties into a case by the process of
interpleader[?].
See: