pleading
A pleading is a formal document given to a court that tells the judge what a person wants in a legal case. It explains the reasons why someone is taking legal action or why they are not guilty.
Examples
3 of 5The lawyer is reading the pleading today.
The lawyer is reading the formal court paper today.
The court requires the final pleading by Monday.
The court must have the final legal document by Monday.
I saw the pleading on the lawyer's desk.
I saw the legal statement on the lawyer's desk.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'p' in pleading as standing for 'paper' sent to the judge.
Quick Quiz
The lawyer finished the _____ and sent it to the court.
Correct!
The correct answer is: pleading
Examples
The lawyer is reading the pleading today.
everydayThe lawyer is reading the formal court paper today.
The court requires the final pleading by Monday.
formalThe court must have the final legal document by Monday.
I saw the pleading on the lawyer's desk.
informalI saw the legal statement on the lawyer's desk.
This research paper examines the first pleading of the case.
academicThis school report looks at the first legal paper of the case.
Our company sent the pleading to the judge.
businessOur company sent the legal statement to the judge.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
responsive pleading
a paper answering a legal claim
pleading stage
the time when legal papers are shared
amended pleading
a legal paper that has been changed
Often Confused With
A plea is usually a verbal answer (guilty/not guilty), whereas a pleading is a written document.
Usage Notes
Use 'pleading' when talking about the formal written papers lawyers give to a judge at the start of a case.
Common Mistakes
Do not confuse this with the emotional act of begging; in law, it specifically refers to documents.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'p' in pleading as standing for 'paper' sent to the judge.
Word Origin
From the Old French word 'plaidier', which means to go to court or to argue a case.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking legal systems, pleadings are the foundation of any civil lawsuit.
Quick Quiz
The lawyer finished the _____ and sent it to the court.
Correct!
The correct answer is: pleading
Related Vocabulary
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