In Pro Per
Rule 15 - Amendments

Go Back Jack, Do it Again...

While Rule 15 is not a Steely Dan song, its lyrics fit this rule perfectly. Basically, Rule 15 allows you to fix mistakes and keep moving forward.

It is known as the "Whoops! Let me just fix that little mistake and then we'll keep going," rule.

Let's say you you typed the name Acmee Brand instead of Acme Brand on your lawsuit, for one of the defendants.

Does it matter? You bet it does, and don't count on the defendant to enlighten you. If you get a judgment against Acmee, you won't be able to collect against Acme.

You now need to add the correct name to the suit, but the statute of limitations has run on your case.

FRCP §§15 has three parts, but Part C is the most relevant one because it deals with a term called Relation Back of Amendments.

But don't let the words scare you. We're talking about relating back to the date you originally filed suit. See, the statute of limitations won't apply to your new claim and you will still be allowed to correct spelling errors without hassle. You may also add a second defendant, but only if some conditions are met:

1. Notice had to have been given - either constructive or actual, that is, Inspector 19 should have been aware that he was going to get called in to this case

2. your mistake was reasonable - that is you were really trying to get the new defendent's name but you were having some trouble.

Anyway, you learn that the new defendant knew he was in hot water immediately after you originally filed your lawsuit because the company had told him you were looking to add his name. He had notice! Bingo!

Rule 15 FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE (As amended Dec. 27, 1946, eff. Mar. 19, 1948; Jan. 21, 1963, eff. July 1, 1963; Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 17, 2000, eff. Dec. 1, 2000.)

Rule 15. Amended and Supplemental Pleadings

(a) AMENDMENTS. A party may amend the party’s pleading once as a matter of course at any time before a responsive pleading is served or, if the pleading is one to which no responsive pleading is permitted and the action has not been placed upon the trial calendar, the party may so amend it at any time within 20 days after it is served.

Otherwise, a party may amend the party’s pleading only by leave of court or by written consent of the adverse party; and leave shall be freely given when justice so requires.

A party shall plead in response to an amended pleading within the time remaining for response to the original pleading or within 10 days after service of the amended pleading, whichever period may be the longer, unless the court otherwise orders.

(b) AMENDMENTSTOCONFORMTOTHEEVIDENCE. When issues not raised by the pleadings are tried by express or implied consent of the parties, they shall be treated in all respects as if they had been raised in the pleadings.

Such amendment of the pleadings as may be necessary to cause them to conform to the evidence and to raise these issues may be made upon motion of any party at any time, even after judgment; but failure so to amend does not affect the result of the trial of these issues.

If evidence is objected to at the trial on the ground that it is not within the issues made by the pleadings, the court may allow the pleadings to be amended and shall do so freely when the presentation of the merits of the action will be subserved thereby and the objecting party fails to satisfy the court that the admission of such evidence would prejudice the party in maintaining the party’s action or defense upon the merits. The court may grant a continuance to enable the objecting party to meet such evidence.

(c) RELATION BACK OF AMENDMENTS. An amendment of a pleading relates back to the date of the original pleading when:

(1) relation back is permitted by the law that provides the statute of limitations applicable to the action, or

(2) the claim or defense asserted in the amended pleading arose out of the conduct, transaction, or occurrence set forth or attempted to be set forth in the original pleading, or

(3) the amendment changes the party or the naming of the party against whom a claim is asserted if the foregoing provision (2) is satisfied and, within the period provided by Rule 4(m) for service of the summons and complaint, the party to be brought in by amendment (A) has received such notice of the institution of the action that the party will not be prejudiced in maintaining a defense on the merits, and (B) knew or should have known that, but for a mistake concerning the identity of the proper party, the action would have been brought against the party.

The delivery or mailing of process to the United States Attorney, or United States Attorney’s designee, or the Attorney General of the United States, or an agency or officer who would have been a proper defendant if named, satisfies the requirement of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph (3) with respect to the United States or any agency or officer thereof to be brought into the action as a defendant.

(d) SUPPLEMENTAl PLEADINGS. Upon motion of a party the court may, upon reasonable notice and upon such terms as are just, permit the party to serve a supplemental pleading setting forth transactions or occurrences or events which have happened since the date of the pleading sought to be supplemented.

Permission may be granted even though the original pleading is defective in its statement of a claim for relief or defense. If the court deems it advisable that the adverse party plead to the supplemental pleading, it shall so order, specifying the time therefor. (As amended Jan. 21, 1963, eff. July 1, 1963; Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 1991, eff. Dec. 1, 1991; Dec. 9, 1991; Apr. 22, 1993, eff. Dec. 1, 1993.)