In civil litigation, what is an "Answer"?

• A. A summons directing the defendant to appear in court
• B. The formal response by a defendant to a complaint
• C. The court's written ruling on damages
• D. A summary of the case presented by the plaintiff

Answer: (B)

An Answer is the defendant's formal response to a plaintiff's complaint in civil litigation. It is filed with the court within the time allowed after service, and it replies to each allegation by admitting, denying, or stating a lack of knowledge. It may also plead affirmative defenses—legal reasons that defeat or limit liability even if the facts are true, such as the statute of limitations, lack of jurisdiction, or failure to state a claim. An Answer can include counterclaims against the plaintiff or cross-claims against other defendants, helping to define what issues will be fought at trial. If no Answer is filed, the plaintiff may obtain a default judgment. This document is different from a summons (which tells the defendant to appear in court), from a court ruling on damages (which decides how much, if any, is owed), and from a summary of the plaintiff's case (which describes the plaintiff's allegations in the complaint).