Rule 10.Form of pleadings

Title III: Pleadings; Motions; Scheduling · Last amended July 1, 2016 · Last verified July 14, 2026

In one sentenceRule 10 sets the form pleadings must take in Idaho civil cases, covering proper designation, numbered paragraphs, incorporation by reference and exhibits, and how to name a party whose identity is not yet known.

Full Text of Rule 10

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d)

(a) Designation of pleading. Every pleading must comply with Rule 2 and must have a Rule 7(a) designation.

(b) Paragraphs; Separate statements. A party must state its claims or defenses in numbered paragraphs, each limited as far as practicable to a single set of circumstances. A later pleading may refer by number to a paragraph in an earlier pleading. If doing so would promote clarity, each claim founded on a separate transaction or occurrence--and each defense other than a denial, must be stated in a separate count or defense.

(c) Adoption by reference; Exhibits. A statement in a pleading may be adopted by reference elsewhere in the same pleading or in any other pleading or motion. A copy of a written instrument that is an exhibit to a pleading is a part of the pleading for all purposes.

(d) Unknown party. When a party does not know the true name of another party, that fact may be stated, and that party may be designated by any name and the words, "whose true name is unknown." When the true name is discovered, the pleading must be amended accordingly.

Amendment History

(Adopted March 1, 2016, effective July 1, 2016.)

Plain-English Summary

Every pleading needs a clear label matching one of the types Rule 7(a) allows, and its content should be broken into numbered paragraphs, each limited as far as practicable to a single set of circumstances. A later pleading can refer back to a numbered paragraph in an earlier one instead of repeating it, and where separating claims would make things clearer, each claim arising from a distinct transaction or occurrence should get its own count or defense.

A pleading can adopt a statement made elsewhere in the same pleading, or in another pleading or motion, without having to copy it over. Any written document attached as an exhibit becomes part of the pleading itself for all purposes, not just a reference alongside it.

When a party's real name is not known, the pleading can say so and use a placeholder in its place, so the case can move forward against that party under a designation like "whose true name is unknown." Once the true name comes to light, the pleading must be amended to reflect it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to number the paragraphs in my complaint or answer?

Yes. Rule 10 requires claims and defenses to be stated in numbered paragraphs, each limited as far as practicable to a single set of circumstances.

Can I refer back to a paragraph from an earlier pleading instead of retyping it?

Yes. A later pleading may refer by number to a paragraph in an earlier pleading.

What happens to a document I attach as an exhibit to my pleading?

A copy of a written instrument attached as an exhibit becomes part of the pleading itself for all purposes, not merely a document referenced alongside it.

Can I sue someone whose real name I do not know yet?

Yes. The pleading can state that fact and designate the party by any name along with the words indicating the true name is unknown.

What do I need to do once I learn a party's real name?

Amend the pleading to reflect the true name once it is discovered.

Source & verification. Rule text are reproduced verbatim from the Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the Supreme Court of Idaho. Last verified July 14, 2026. · Official source

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