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Notice Pleading

Definition

The system established by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (particularly Rules 8 and 9) requiring only a short, plain statement of the claim to start a lawsuit. The plaintiff need not prove the case at the outset — detailed facts emerge later through discovery.

Examples

  • Under federal notice pleading, Berk would only need to file a complaint stating that the defendants committed medical malpractice causing him injury, without attaching expert evidence.

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