What is an answer?

An answer is a written response to a lawsuit. In Virginia’s civil procedure, an answer is a document filed by the defendant in an action and is the defendant’s response to the plaintiff’s allegations. It is usually filed with the court before any discovery is conducted, and typically contains the defendant’s answer to the plaintiff’s allegations, as well as any affirmative defenses that the defendant has that he or she wishes to raise. Additionally, the answer might contain any other matters that the defendant wishes to bring to the court’s attention, such as counterclaims or cross-claims. An answer must be filed within a certain time period after service of process. If the defendant does not file an answer in the allotted time, the plaintiff may seek a default judgement against the defendant.

Related FAQs

How does civil procedure differ from state to state?
What is the standard of review for an appellate court?
What is the appeals process?
What is a settlement conference?
What are the court procedures for filing a motion?
What are the common defenses in civil law?
What is the burden of proof in civil cases?
What is the motion stage of civil procedure?
What are the grounds for a restraining order?
What is a motion to change venue?

Related Blog Posts

Understanding Civil Procedure Basics - July 31, 2023
Navigating the Complexities of Civil Procedure Rules - August 7, 2023
Step-By-Step Guide to Civil Procedure Process - August 14, 2023
Identifying Deadlines in Civil Procedure - August 21, 2023
Different Types of Civil Procedure Strategies - August 28, 2023