What is the first pleading filed in a civil lawsuit?

• A. Complaint
• B. Answer
• C. Motion to dismiss
• D. Counterclaim

Answer: (A)

In civil procedure, the document that starts a lawsuit is the complaint. It lays out who is suing, the facts the plaintiff believes support their claim, the legal theories being asserted, and the relief sought. It also explains the basis for the court’s jurisdiction and, importantly, triggers the service of process on the defendant. The defendant then responds with an answer, which addresses each allegation and may raise defenses or, in some cases, assert a counterclaim. A motion to dismiss can be filed to challenge the adequacy of the complaint or the court’s jurisdiction, but it happens after the filing of the complaint and before or alongside an answer. A counterclaim is a claim by the defendant against the plaintiff, typically raised in the answer. Therefore, the first pleading is the complaint.