(a) The answer shall be verified and shall set forth:

(1) Any claim the defendant has.

Terms Used In California Code of Civil Procedure 761.030

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Claim: includes a legal or equitable right, title, estate, lien, or interest in property or cloud upon title. See California Code of Civil Procedure 760.010
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.

(2) Any facts tending to controvert such material allegations of the complaint as the defendant does not wish to be taken as true.

(3) A statement of any new matter constituting a defense.

(b) If the defendant disclaims in the answer any claim, or suffers judgment to be taken without answer, the plaintiff shall not recover costs.

(Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 44, Sec. 15.)