Which statement best describes amendments as a matter of course?

• A. Amendments made early on in the case without having to ask anyone's permission
• B. Amendments made with the consent of the other parties
• C. Amendments made later in the case with leave from the court
• D. Amendments made later in the case with permission from the court

Answer: (A)

Amendments as a matter of course are rights to amend without asking the court for permission, at least early in the case. In typical procedure, a party may amend once as a matter of course within a limited window after serving the initial pleading (often 21 days), and if a responsive pleading has been served, within 21 days after that service. Once that window passes, you generally must seek leave of the court to amend, and sometimes the opposing party’s consent is needed as well. Therefore, the best statement is that amendments made early on in the case can be done without anyone’s permission.