Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Answer Day is the last day for a defendant to respond to a lawsuit. They have to file and serve their answer on this day. It's usually 20 days after they receive the summons and complaint, or 60 days if they waive service. Answer Day is important because if the defendant doesn't respond, the plaintiff may win the case by default.
Definition: The last day for a defendant to file and serve a responsive pleading in a lawsuit.
Example: Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a defendant generally must serve an answer within 20 days after being served with the summons and complaint, or if a defendant timely waives service at the plaintiff's request, within 60 days after the request for waiver was sent.
Explanation: Answer day is the deadline for a defendant to respond to a lawsuit. If the defendant fails to file an answer by the deadline, the plaintiff may be able to obtain a default judgment. The example illustrates the time frame for a defendant to serve an answer in a civil lawsuit under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.