A complaint must contain a short and plain statement of the grounds for jurisdiction, a statement of the claim showing entitlement to relief, and a demand for the relief sought. It identifies the parties and alleges the facts supporting each cause of action.
Certain claims, including fraud and mistake, must be pleaded with particularity rather than under the general standard.
Alternative Names:
Petition, Initial Pleading
Why it Matters?
The complaint frames everything that follows: it determines the applicable pleading standard, defines the scope of discovery, and in insurance cases drives the duty to defend analysis under the eight corners rule. Plaintiff counsel frequently plead alternative theories specifically to trigger coverage, which is why defense and coverage counsel should read the complaint count by count rather than assessing the case as a whole.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What must a complaint contain?
Can a complaint be amended?
