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Chapter 31.22 PLEADINGS GENERALLY

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(1) Claims for Relief. A pleading which sets forth a claim for relief, whether an original claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim, shall contain: (A) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and (B) a demand for judgment for the relief the pleader seeks. Relief in the alternative or of several different types may be demanded.

(2) Forms of Pleadings.

(A) Caption: Names of Parties. Every pleading shall contain a caption setting forth the title of the action, the file number, and a description of the pleading, such as “complaint” or “answer.” In the complaint, the title of the action shall include the names of all the parties, but in other pleadings it is sufficient to state the name of the first party on each side with an appropriate indication of other parties.

(B) Paragraphs: Separate Statements. All claims and defense shall be made in numbered paragraphs, the contents of each of which shall be limited as far as practicable to a statement of a single set of circumstances; and a paragraph may be referred to by number in all succeeding pleadings. Each claim founded upon a separate transaction or occurrence and each defense other than denials shall be stated in a separate count or defense.

(C) Adoption by Reference: Exhibits. Statements in a pleading may be adopted by reference in a different part of the same pleading or in another pleading or in any motion. A copy of any written instrument which is an exhibit to a pleading is a part thereof for all purposes.

(D) Signing of Pleadings, Motions, Briefs, and Other Papers; Sanctions. Every pleading, motion, brief, and other paper filed with the Tribal Court shall be signed by at least one party in interest, or such party’s representative of record, in the party’s or the representative’s individual name, and the signatory’s address shall be stated. Except as specifically provided by Chapter 31.23(1)(F) CTC, or when otherwise specifically provided by other rule or statute, pleadings need not be verified or accompanied by affidavit. The signature of a representative or party constitutes a certificate by the signer that the signer has read the pleading, motion, or other paper; that to the best of the signer’s knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonable inquiry it is well-grounded in fact, and is warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law, and that it is not interposed for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation. If a pleading, motion, or other paper is not signed, it shall be stricken unless it is signed promptly after the omission is called to the attention of the pleader or movant. If a pleading, motion, or other paper is signed in violation of this chapter, the Tribal Court, upon motion or upon its own initiative, shall impose upon the person who signed it, a represented party, or both, an appropriate sanction, which may include, but is not limited to, an order imposing fines or other sanctions such as civil contempt, or an order to pay to the other party or parties the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred because of the filing of the pleading, motion, or other paper, including a reasonable representative’s fee. [Res. 24-44, 2024.]