Amendments made early in the case do not require what?

• A. Leave from the court
• B. Permission from anyone
• C. Consent of the other parties
• D. Court approval

Answer: (B)

Amendments filed early in a case can be made as a matter of course, without asking the court for permission or obtaining anyone’s consent. Under the rule that allows an amendment once as a matter of course before a responsive pleading is served, you can modify or add to the pleading without seeking leave. You still must file and serve the amended pleading, but no permission from the court or from other parties is required at that stage. Once a responsive pleading has been served, however, you generally need the court’s permission or the opposing party’s consent to amend.