{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "cplr", "section": "3011", "citation": "CPLR § 3011", "heading": "Kinds of pleadings", "text": ["§ 3011. Kinds of pleadings. There shall be a complaint and an answer. An answer may include a counterclaim against a plaintiff and a cross-claim against a defendant. A defendant's pleading against another claimant is an interpleader complaint, or against any other person not already a party is a third-party complaint. There shall be a reply to a counterclaim denominated as such, an answer to an interpleader complaint or third-party complaint, and an answer to a cross-claim that contains a demand for an answer. If no demand is made, the cross-claim shall be deemed denied or avoided. There shall be no other pleading unless the court orders otherwise."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVP/3011", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "There is a **complaint and an answer.** An answer may include a **counterclaim** (against a plaintiff) and a **cross-claim** (against a co-defendant). A defendant's pleading against a new person is a **third-party complaint** (or interpleader complaint). There's a **reply** to a counterclaim so denominated, an answer to interpleader/third-party complaints, and an answer to a cross-claim only if it **demands** one — **if no demand, the cross-claim is deemed denied.** ★ No other pleadings unless the court orders.", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/cplr/3011", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}