Legal Definitions - answer

An answer is a response to a question or a solution to a problem. In legal terms, an answer is the first written statement made by a defendant in response to a plaintiff's complaint. This statement can either admit or deny the allegations made by the plaintiff, or request more information about the claims being made. An answer may also include counterclaims or affirmative defenses.

When a teacher asks a student a question, the student's response is their answer. For example, if the teacher asks "What is the capital of France?" and the student responds "Paris," that is their answer.

In a legal case, if a plaintiff files a complaint against a defendant, the defendant's written response to the complaint is their answer. The defendant may admit or deny the allegations made by the plaintiff, or make counterclaims or affirmative defenses.

These examples illustrate how an answer is a response to a question or a statement made by someone else. In the legal context, an answer is a crucial part of the legal process as it allows the defendant to respond to the plaintiff's claims and present their own arguments.