Pleadings and Motions
Pleadings
Specific denials address each allegation separately. A party lacking knowledge sufficient to admit or deny may so state, which has the effect of a denial.
Allegations not denied are deemed admitted.
Alternative Names:
Paragraph Denial, Specific Response
Why it Matters?
The insufficient knowledge response is available but not unlimited, since a party cannot claim ignorance of facts within its own records or control. Courts have treated such responses as admissions where the information was readily available to the responding party. Reviewing the complaint against internal records before answering, rather than defaulting to insufficient knowledge, avoids that outcome.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Can a party respond that it lacks knowledge?
What happens to allegations not addressed?
