Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 12 Sec. 2151

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
  • 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.

§ 2151. When defendant pleads bankruptcy and prevails

In actions in which the bankruptcy of the defendant is set up in defense, and the defendant prevails solely by reason of such answer, the court may allow or disallow costs against the plaintiff.