Which of the following best defines a 'claim for relief'?

• A. A prayer only
• B. A counterclaim
• C. A motion for judgment on the pleadings
• D. A cause of action on which you seek to recover money or another remedy

Answer: (D)

A claim for relief is the actual cause of action the plaintiff asserts and the remedy they seek. It’s more than a mere request for relief—the complaint lays out the legal theory and the factual basis for the claim and specifies the relief sought, such as money damages or an injunction. For example, if you allege a breach of contract and seek damages, the breach of contract claim is the claim for relief. The other options miss that scope: a prayer for relief is just the request; a counterclaim is a separate claim by the defendant; and a motion for judgment on the pleadings is a procedural request, not a substantive claim for relief.