Is the list of pleadings considered exhaustive?

• A. Yes, the list is exhaustive.
• B. No.
• C. Sometimes.
• D. The list is exhaustive for every context.

Answer: (A)

In federal civil procedure, pleadings are strictly limited to what Rule 7 enumerates. Rule 7 lists six specific papers that count as pleadings: the complaint, the answer to the complaint, the answer to a counterclaim, the answer to a crossclaim, the third-party complaint, and the third-party answer. Because the rule provides an exclusive list, there isn’t a separate category for other papers to be considered pleadings. Any other filing—like a motion, a notice, or a petition—does not count as a pleading. So, in this context, the list is exhaustive.