Rule 8 - General Rules of Pleading(a) CLAIM FOR RELIEF. A pleading that states a claim for relief must contain: (1) a short and plain statement of the grounds for the court's jurisdiction, unless the court already has jurisdiction and the claim needs no new jurisdictional support;(2) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief; and(3) a demand for judgment for the relief or remedy sought, which may include alternative, inconsistent, or multiple reliefs or remedies, whether legal or equitable.(b) DEFENSES; ADMISSIONS AND DENIALS. (1)In General. In responding to a pleading, a party must: (A) state in short and plain terms its defenses to each claim asserted against it; and(B) admit or deny the allegations asserted against it by an opposing party.(2)Denials-Responding to the Substance. A denial must fairly respond to the substance of the allegation.(3)Denying Part of an Allegation. A party that intends in good faith to deny only part of an allegation must admit the part that is true and deny the rest.(4)Lacking Knowledge or Information. A party that lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about the truth of an allegation must so state, and the statement has the effect of a denial.(5)Effect of Failing to Deny. An allegation is admitted if a responsive pleading is required and the allegation is not denied. If a responsive pleading is not required, an allegation is considered denied or avoided.(c) AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES. In responding to a pleading, a party must affirmatively state any avoidance or affirmative defense, including: accord and satisfaction; arbitration and award; duress; estoppel; failure of consideration; fraud; illegality; laches; payment; release; res judicata; statute of frauds; statute of limitations; and waiver. (d) PLEADING TO BE CONCISE AND DIRECT; ALTERNATIVE STATEMENTS; INCONSISTENCY. (1)In General. Each allegation must be simple, concise, and direct. No technical form is required.(2)Alternative Statement of a Claim or Defense. A party may set out 2 or more statements of a claim or defense alternately or hypothetically, either in a single count or defense or in separate ones. If a party makes alternative statements, the pleading is sufficient if any one of them is sufficient.(3)Inconsistent Claims or Defenses. A party may state as many separate claims or defenses as it has, regardless of consistency.(e) CONSTRUING PLEADINGS. Pleadings must be construed so as to do justice.COMMENT TO 2018 AMENDMENTS
This rule has been amended to conform to the civil rule.