Civil Procedure
Amended Complaint
A revised complaint that changes, adds, or clarifies allegations, parties, or claims after the original complaint was filed.
Governing rule: Fed. R. Civ. P. 15
Plain-English definition
An amended complaint replaces or changes the original complaint. Plaintiffs amend to fix pleading problems, add facts learned later, add parties, or adjust legal theories. Early amendments may be allowed as of right; later amendments usually require consent or court permission.
How it works
Courts generally allow amendment freely when justice requires, but may deny it for undue delay, bad faith, repeated failure to fix defects, prejudice, or futility.
Why it matters
Amendment often decides whether a weak case gets a second life after a motion to dismiss.
Related terms
More in Civil Procedure
Answer
The defendant's formal written response to the plaintiff's complaint, admitting or denying each allegation.
Class Certification
The judicial decision to allow a lawsuit to proceed as a class action on behalf of similarly-situated plaintiffs.
Collateral Estoppel
Also called issue preclusion. The doctrine that prevents re-litigating a specific issue that was actually decided in a prior case.
Complaint
The initial pleading filed by the plaintiff that starts a civil lawsuit.
Consolidation
Combining related cases for coordinated management, discovery, hearings, or trial.
Counterclaim
A claim brought by a defendant against the plaintiff within the same lawsuit.
Crossclaim
A claim by one party against a co-party, such as one defendant suing another defendant in the same case.
Default
A clerk or court entry showing that a party failed to plead, defend, or otherwise respond as required.
Not legal advice. Definitions are for general reference. Consult an attorney before relying on any term in a real case.