Civil Remedies: Formal written responses to the defendants/perpetrators file in response to plaintiff’s complaints. These pleadings may deny some or all of the allegations; they may raise defenses such as self-defense or assumption of risk, or they may allege that even if all of the plaintiff’s allegations are true, there is no liability. These pleadings are usually accompanied by legal memoranda and briefs. The names of the pleadings vary from jurisdiction. “Demurrers,” “motions for summary judgment,” motions to dismiss,” and “answers” are all descriptions of a responsive pleading. (http://www.ovc.gov/library/glossary.html)
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