Demurrer: Meaning, Role, Ground of Filing & Procedure

What is Demurrer?

Demurrer is a way to refute an opponent’s request without really putting up a defense. Even if the claims made in the pleadings were accurate, according to Demurrer, it still wouldn’t reveal a cause of action that the opposing party may pursue. To decide whether to move on with filing a defense against the plaintiff’s claim, the opposing party must wait for the court’s ruling. Two primary categories of demurrers exist:

• General Demurrer: This contests the pleading’s content, claiming that it makes no legally actionable allegations.
• Special Demurrer: This addresses formal or structural flaws in the pleading, including vagueness or imprecision.

It’s crucial to remember that demurrers are not as common as they formerly were. For example, motions to dismiss have taken their place in federal courts. They are still used, nonetheless, as a tool in certain state court systems.

Key Takeaways:

• This is a way to refute an opponent’s request without really putting up a defense.
• Even if the claims made in the pleadings were accurate, according to Demurrer, it still wouldn’t reveal a cause of action that the opposing party may pursue.
• The basis of the defendant’s plea for dismissal is the possibility that the claimant’s allegations are genuine, but that doesn’t mean the claimant should respond.
• Court rules frequently stipulate that demurrers are not permitted, as parties are supposed to file their pleadings prior to raising legal issues that might completely or partially end the lawsuit.

Role of Demurrer in Legal Process

1. Contest the Sufficiency of the Complaint: The most typical situation is for the defendant to object to the plaintiff’s complaint. This contends that the complaint fails to establish a viable legal claim, even in the event that the facts are true.

2. Focus on Legal Issues, Not Facts: The demurrer separates the legal question of whether the facts stated in the complaint are sufficient to support a lawsuit by acknowledging the facts as true for the purposes of the argument.

3. Early Settlement of Cases: A successful demurrer can save both parties time and money by having a lawsuit dismissed before it even reaches trial.

4. Narrowing Legal Issues: Demurrers help to narrow down the legal issues in a case by forcing the parties and the court to focus on the fundamental legal questions at hand. This can streamline the litigation process and make subsequent proceedings more efficient.

5. Preserving Legal Rights: Demurrers serve as a mechanism for defendants to assert their legal rights at an early stage of the litigation. By challenging the sufficiency of the opposing party’s pleading, defendants can protect themselves from potentially meritless claims.

Grounds for Filing a Demurrer

The following two major kinds of grounds, which each address a distinct facet of the other party’s pleading, may be used to file a demurrer:

1. Lack of Legal Sufficiency (General Demurrer): With this kind of demurrer, the pleading’s fundamental argument is refuted since it is not shown to make a convincing case. The following are typical justifications for a general demurrer:

• Failure to State a Claim: This defense contends that the pleading omits important details required to establish a valid cause of action.
• Lack of Standing: This argument argues that the plaintiff lacks standing to file a lawsuit since the claimed conduct hasn’t actually injured them or caused them any harm.
• Statute of Limitations: This claims that the case was brought beyond the period of time permitted by law for that specific kind of claim.

2. Technical Flaws (Demurrer Specific): A special demurrer tackles technical errors in the form or structure of the pleading, whereas a general demurrer concentrates on the content of the pleading. Among the justifications for a specific demurrer are:

• Ambiguity: It is challenging to determine the essence of the claim due to the pleading’s lack of clarity or confusion.
• Uncertainty: The replying party is unable to mount a strong defense since the pleading does not include enough information regarding the accusations.
• Misjoinder: An inappropriate pleading that unjustly combines several unconnected parties or claims into one case.

Procedure for Filing a Demurrer

There are certain stages involved in filing and replying to a demurrer, and these steps may differ significantly based on your jurisdiction. The following are the process for filing a demurrer:

1. Drafting the Demurrer: Prepare a legal document stating why you believe the opposing party’s pleading is insufficient.

2. Meeting and Conferring (In Some Jurisdictions): Some places require pre-filing discussions to explore potential resolutions.

3. Filing the Demurrer: Submit the document to the court and serve it on the opposing party according to court procedures.

4. Response: The opposing party has the chance to respond to the demurrer.

5. Hearing or Ruling: The court may schedule a hearing or issue a ruling based on the submissions to determine whether to dismiss the pleading or allow the case to proceed.

Procedure for Responding to Demurrer

The following is the procedure for responding to a demurrer:

1. Memorandum in Opposition: The opposing party files a document countering the demurrer’s arguments.

2. Hearing and Decision: Both parties present their cases at a demurrer hearing, and the judge decides whether to uphold or reject the demurrer.

3. Amendment: If the demurrer is upheld, the pleading may be amended to address deficiencies.

4. Oral Argument: Parties may have the opportunity to present arguments verbally at the hearing.

5. Court’s Order: The court issues a written order detailing its decision on the demurrer.

Notable Cases Highlighting the Use of Demurrer

1. SCOTUS Case: Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins (2016): This case indeed dealt with the issue of standing to sue under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). However, the Supreme Court’s decision did not specifically address the use of demurrers. Instead, it focused on whether the plaintiff had suffered a concrete injury sufficient to establish standing to sue. The Court’s ruling did have implications for the pleading standards under Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, but it did not directly limit the use of demurrers.

2. Qui Tam Lawsuits: Qui tam lawsuits allow private individuals to bring actions on behalf of the government for violations of the law. However, the case citation provided (United Health Services v. Escobar) does not involve a qui tam lawsuit. Instead, it is a Supreme Court case concerning the False Claims Act and the implied certification theory of liability. While the decision did address the issue of materiality in False Claims Act cases, it did not directly involve a demurrer.

3. Data Breach Lawsuits: The case citation provided (Thomas v. Hidden Cove Apartments) does not appear to be a well-known or significant case involving data breach lawsuits. Additionally, the description of the case seems to be a hypothetical scenario rather than an actual case. Data breach cases often involve complex issues of privacy law and negligence, but the use of demurrers may vary depending on the specific facts and legal arguments presented.

Challenges in Demurrer

1. Drafting Precisely: A strong demurrer is essential. You must specify the precise flaws in the other party’s pleading and provide justification for why they make it legally deficient. Doubtful or weakly argued demurrers run the danger of being rejected by the judge.

2. Time-related Considerations: It is essential to meet filing deadlines. If you miss these dates, the court may reject your demurrer, and the pleading will go on uncontested.

3. Selecting Appropriate Grounds: It’s crucial to choose the best grounds possible for your demurrer. Your case may be undermined if you file a general demurrer when a specific demurrer would be more appropriate. Choosing the best course of action may be aided by legal advice.

4. Resolving Deficiencies: You must successfully resolve any valid flaws in your pleading that the demurrer points out. This might include revising the pleading to address the errors or presenting more convincing evidence to back up your assertions.

5. Striking a Balance between Concision and Comprehensiveness: Your answer to the demurrer must sufficiently address each of the issues brought up while being clear and succinct. Achieving this equilibrium can be difficult.

6. Saving Arguments for Later: It’s crucial to refrain from delving into the case’s factual merits while answering the demurrer. The pleading’s legal sufficiency should be the main concern. But you also don’t want to give up on any points you might wish to bring up in the course of the legal dispute.

Conclusion

Demurrer is a common law strategy of refuting a claim by claiming that, even in the event that it were true, the claim does not adequately describe the basis for a recovery under the law. While demurrers are not used in federal practice, some state procedures may still accept the remedy. While demurrers are a useful weapon for contesting a pleading’s legal sufficiency, they are not without difficulties. To properly manage the procedure, it is highly suggested that you consult with a lawyer who is experienced with demurrers and the regulations of your local court.

Demurrer- FAQs

Why would someone file a demurrer?

A demurrer’s primary goal is to potentially end legal proceedings quickly in cases that don’t have a strong legal basis. Both parties to the lawsuit may save time and money by doing this.

When is a demurrer appropriate?

Demurrers are useful in a variety of contexts, which are as follows:

• when the complaint is unable to establish a claim, meaning it does not have the elements required to establish a valid cause of action.
• when the plaintiff does not have the legal right to sue since they have not been hurt or injured personally.
• when the lawsuit was brought beyond the statute of limitations, the permitted time range for legal action.
• when there are insufficient specifics concerning the charges in the pleading, or when it is vague or imprecise.

Are demurrers still employed frequently?

In many areas, demurrers are no longer as often used. Usually, motions to dismiss are used in federal courts instead. However, in many state court systems, demurrers are still an effective instrument.

Is there any difference between a demurrer and a motion to dismiss?

A court-filed challenge to a specific claim is known as a demurrer. A motion to dismiss is a formal request to have a matter dismissed from court. There are several justifications for filing a move to dismiss or a demurrer.

References:

• Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers
• Cornell Law School

Note: The information provided is sourced from various websites and collected data; if discrepancies are identified, kindly reach out to us through comments for prompt correction.