Does Rule 15 favor amendments?

• A. Yes but only for pleadings
• B. Only with court permission
• C. Yes because it allows cases to be decided on their merits
• D. No

Answer: (C)

Rule 15 is about letting pleadings be amended freely to reach the real issues in the case. The rule embodies a liberal approach: edits to the complaint or answer are encouraged so the dispute can be decided on its merits rather than on technical defects. In practice, a party may amend once as a matter of course within a short window, and after that, amendments require the court’s permission, which should be granted freely when justice requires, though limitations apply if there’s undue delay, prejudice, or futility. So the best answer captures the purpose: amendments are favored because they help ensure the case is decided on its merits.