Rule 1. Scope and Purpose
These rules govern the procedure in all civil actions and
proceedings in the United States district courts, except as stated in
Rule 81. They should be construed and
administered to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination
of every action and proceeding.
Rule 2. One Form of Action
There is one form of action — the civil action.
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 the relief sought, which may include relief in the
alternative or different types of relief.
Rule 10. Form of Pleadings
(a) Caption; Names of Parties. Every pleading must have a caption with
the court’s name, a title, a file number, and a Rule 7(a) designation.
The title of the complaint must name all the parties; the title of
other pleadings, after naming the first party on each side, may refer
generally to other parties.
(b) Paragraphs; Separate Statements. A party must state its claims or
defenses in numbered paragraphs, each limited as far as practicable to
a single set of circumstances. A later pleading may refer by number to
a paragraph in an earlier pleading. If doing so would promote clarity,
each claim founded on a separate transaction or occurrence — and each
defense other than a denial — must be stated in a separate count or
defense.
Form 11. Complaint for Negligence.
(Caption – See Form 1.)
1. (Statement of Jurisdiction – See Form 7.)
2. On date , at place , the defendant negligently drove a motor vehicle
against the plaintiff.
3. As a result, the plaintiff was physically injured, lost wages or
income, suffered physical and
mental pain, and incurred medical expenses of $_________.
Therefore, the plaintiff demands judgment against the defendant for $
_________, plus costs.
(Date and sign – See Form 2).