# Fed. R. Civ. P. 7: Rule 7. Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions and Other Papers

> Federal · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R7

## Section

- **Citation:** Fed. R. Civ. P. 7
- **Heading:** Rule 7. Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions and Other Papers
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Federal Rules of Civil Procedure > Rule 7

## Text

(a) PLEADINGS. Only these pleadings are allowed: (1) a complaint; (2) an answer to a complaint; (3) an answer to a counterclaim designated as a counterclaim; (4) an answer to a crossclaim; (5) a third-party complaint; (6) an answer to a third-party complaint; and (7) if the court orders one, a reply to an answer.

(b) MOTIONS AND OTHER PAPERS. (1) In General. A request for a court order must be made by motion. The motion must: (A) be in writing unless made during a hearing or trial; (B) state with particularity the grounds for seeking the order; and (C) state the relief sought. (2) Form. The rules governing captions and other matters of form in pleadings apply to motions and other papers.

## Nearby sections

- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 1 Rule 1. Scope and Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R1.md)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 2 Rule 2. One Form of Action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R2.md)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 3 Rule 3. Commencing an Action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R3.md)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 4 Rule 4. Summons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R4.md)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 4.1 Rule 4.1. Serving Other Process](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R4-1.md)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 5 Rule 5. Serving and Filing Pleadings and Other Papers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R5.md)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 5.1 Rule 5.1. Constitutional Challenge to a Statute—Notice, Certification, and Intervention](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R5.1.md)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 5.2 Rule 5.2. Privacy Protection For Filings Made with the Court](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R5.2.md)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 Rule 6. Computing and Extending Time; Time for Motion Papers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R6.md)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 7 Rule 7. Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions and Other Papers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R7.md)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 7.1 Rule 7.1. Disclosure Statement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R7.1.md)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 8 Rule 8. General Rules of Pleading](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R8.md)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 9 Rule 9. Pleading Special Matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R9.md)
- [Fed. R. Civ. P. 10 Rule 10. Form of Pleadings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R10.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FRULES_FRCP_R7. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.