Rule 13 Defenses and Objections—When and How Presented

Presented. DISTRICT COURT RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE Rule 17

(a) A defendant shall file or state an answer within 20 days after service of the summons and complaint upon the defendant. A counterclaim shall be deemed denied by the plaintiff.

(b) When an answer is plainly insufficient to state a defense, the court may on its own motion enter judgment on the pleadings without trial. A judgment on the pleadings shall state the reasons for its entry. (SCO 225 effective May 1, 1976; amended by SCO 1153 effective July 15, 1994)