Rule 7. Pleadings allowed. - Montana Statutes

     Rule 7. Pleadings allowed. In justice or city court there may be a complaint, answer, counterclaim, and reply to a counterclaim. No other pleadings are allowed, except that the court may order a reply to an answer. A "motion" is not a "pleading".
     A. COMPLAINT. The complaint is a concise written statement of the facts constituting the plaintiff's cause of action and the type and amount of relief requested.
     B. ANSWER. The answer must contain a denial of any or all of the material facts stated in the complaint that the defendant believes to be untrue and also a statement, in plain or direct manner, of any other facts constituting a defense. Any matter not denied shall be deemed admitted. If an answer is not filed within 20 days after service of the complaint and summons, the plaintiff may request entry of default as provided in Rule 21 of these rules.
     C. COUNTERCLAIM. (1) A defendant may file with the answer a counterclaim against the plaintiff. The defendant must file as a counterclaim any claim arising out of the same transaction or occurrence as the complaint, which is within the jurisdiction of the justice or city court, or it is deemed to be waived. The counterclaim must be a concise written statement of the facts constituting the defendant's cause of action and the type or amount of relief requested. Any counterclaim that exceeds the jurisdiction of the justice or city court must be dismissed without prejudice.
     (2) If the counterclaim, after being dismissed without prejudice as outside the subject matter jurisdiction of the justice or city court, is filed in the district court, then upon order of the district judge the pending justice or city court action must be transferred to the district court.
     D. REPLY TO COUNTERCLAIM. The reply must contain a denial of any or all of the material facts stated in the counterclaim that the plaintiff believes to be untrue and also a statement, in plain or direct manner, of any other facts constituting a defense to the counterclaim. Any matter not denied shall be deemed admitted. If a reply to a counterclaim is not filed within 20 days after service of the counterclaim, the defendant may request entry of default as provided in Rule 21 of these rules.
     E. CROSS CLAIMS. Cross claims are not allowed in a justice or city court, unless, in accordance with Rule 12 of these rules, justice cannot be otherwise obtained.
     F. GENERAL RULES OF PLEADING.
     (1) Form -- pleadings in justice or city court. All pleadings must be in writing and filed with the court. They must be in a form that enables a person of common understanding to know what is intended.
     (2) Effect of failure to deny. Allegations in a pleading to which a responsive pleading is required are admitted when not denied in the responsive pleading. A statement of fact in a pleading to which no responsive pleading is required or permitted must be taken as denied or avoided.
     (3) New matter. New matter in the answer or reply to counterclaim is considered denied by the opposing party.
     (4) Signing of pleadings. Every pleading of a party represented by an attorney must be signed by that attorney and must state the address and telephone number of the attorney. A party who is not represented by an attorney shall sign the pleading and state the party's address and telephone number.

     History: En. Sup. Ct. Ord. February 9, 1990, eff. June 1, 1990; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. June 24, 1997, eff. Oct. 1, 1997.