Rule 7.Pleadings Allowed — Form of Motions.
Current through February 2024 · Last verified July 8, 2026
Full Text of Rule 7
Amendment History
Rhode Island does not publish a per-rule amendment history inside the compiled rules text reproduced here. The text above is verified current through the source’s own February 2024 printing; for the underlying adopting orders and any later amendments, see the Rhode Island Judiciary’s compiled rules page.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 7 keeps the pleading stage narrow. A case has a complaint and an answer, plus a handful of specific responses — a reply to a counterclaim, an answer to a cross-claim, a third-party complaint under Rule 14, and a third-party answer. Nothing else is allowed unless the court orders a reply to an answer or a third-party answer. If a party wants a jury, that demand has to be its own separate pleading, not buried in another document.
Motions have their own form requirements. Unless made during a hearing, trial, or deposition, a motion must be in writing, state its grounds with particularity, and spell out the relief requested; a written hearing notice that states the motion can satisfy the writing requirement. The same rules on captions, signatures, and format that apply to pleadings apply to motions and other papers too, and every motion must be signed consistent with Rule 11.
The rule then singles out a list of routine motions — to assign a case, consolidate cases for trial, enlarge time under Rule 6(b)(2), get leave to serve a third-party complaint, amend pleadings, order a physical or mental exam, obtain a protective order or compel discovery, or attach wages or other property. These must be served and filed at least ten days before the hearing, and they’re treated as granted automatically unless someone files an objection stating specific grounds at least three days before the hearing. A motion to compel discovery has to spell out how many days the other side gets to comply, and the one-extra-day rule for mailed or electronic service doesn’t apply to any of this group.
The rule also allows a hearing to be held remotely, whether the court initiates it or a party requests it. The moving party can ask for a remote hearing when filing the motion; any other party has five days after being served to make the same request, and either request needs a short statement of its grounds, though no one has to disclose health information to justify it. When a case uses electronic filing, pleadings and motions follow the filing procedures in Rule 1(b)(3).
Frequently Asked Questions
What pleadings am I allowed to file in a Rhode Island civil case?
The rule limits pleadings to a complaint, an answer, a reply to a counterclaim, an answer to a cross-claim, and, where a third party is brought in under Rule 14, a third-party complaint and answer. No other pleading is permitted unless the court specifically orders a reply.
What happens if I don't object to a motion like one to consolidate or amend pleadings?
Certain motions listed in the rule — to assign, consolidate, enlarge time, add a third-party complaint, amend pleadings, order an exam, or resolve a discovery dispute, among others — are treated as granted automatically once ten days’ notice has passed, unless an objection stating specific grounds is filed at least three days before the hearing.
Can I ask for a hearing to be held remotely?
Yes. The moving party can request a remote hearing when filing the motion, and any other party can request one within five days of being served with the motion. Either request needs a short statement of the reasons behind it, though the requesting party doesn’t have to reveal health care information to support it.