General Rules of Pleading

General Pleading standards govern most types of complaints and answers.  The federal courts and state courts impose stricter standards for pleading special matters, such as fraud.

General pleading standards are lenient.  That is, federal and state rules do not require evidence or extensive detail in the complaint.  In the federal courts, a complaint need only allege sufficient facts to show that the plaintiff is plausibly entitled to relief.

To plead special matters, such as fraud, the complaint must include more detail.  The Complaint must allege the circumstances with particularity by including details such as who, what, where, and when.