In pleading a judgment or decision of a domestic or foreign court, judicial or quasi-judicial tribunal, or of a board or officer, it is sufficient to aver the judgment or decision without setting forth matter showing jurisdiction to render it.
Rule 55.18.Judgments and Decisions--Form of Pleading.
Part I · Rule 55: Pleadings, Motions and Hearing · Last amended September 1, 1973 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceRule 55.18 lets a party plead a judgment or decision of a domestic or foreign court, tribunal, board, or officer by averring the judgment or decision itself, without pleading the facts establishing that body’s jurisdiction to render it.
Full Text of Rule 55.18
Amendment History
Adopted Jan. 19, 1973, eff. Sept. 1, 1973.
Official Comment
This is the same as Rule 9(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and substantially the same as prior Rule 55.20. The following sentence in prior Rule 55.20 was deleted: “If such allegations be controverted, the party pleading them shall establish on the trial the facts conferring jurisdiction.”
Plain-English Summary
Pleading a prior judgment or decision is simplified in the same spirit as Rule 55.17’s treatment of official acts. Whether the decision came from a domestic or foreign court, a judicial or quasi-judicial tribunal, or a board or officer, it’s enough to aver the judgment or decision without spelling out the facts that show the deciding body had jurisdiction to reach it.
Earlier versions of this rule went further and required the pleader to prove jurisdiction at trial if the allegation was disputed. That requirement no longer appears in the current text — the pleading itself only needs to state the judgment or decision, leaving jurisdiction to be tested through whatever defenses or evidence the opposing party chooses to raise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I plead a prior judgment in Missouri?
By averring the judgment or decision itself, without pleading the facts that show the deciding body’s jurisdiction to render it.
Do I need to plead facts showing the other court had jurisdiction?
No. Rule 55.18 allows the judgment or decision to be averred without setting out jurisdictional facts.
Does this rule apply to foreign judgments?
Yes, it covers judgments or decisions of domestic or foreign courts, judicial or quasi-judicial tribunals, or boards or officers.
What about decisions from administrative boards?
They’re covered too — the rule reaches decisions of a board or officer, not just courts.
Can the other party still contest whether the judgment is valid?
Yes, the simplified pleading doesn’t prevent a challenge to the judgment’s validity through other means in the case.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Missouri State & Federal Court Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Missouri. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: pleading a prior judgmentforeign judgment pleading Missouriquasi-judicial decision pleadingjudgment form of pleading