Legal Definitions - manner and form

Definition: Manner and form is a legal term that means "in the way and form." In common-law pleading, this phrase began the conclusion of a traverse. Its object was to put the burden on the party whose pleading was being traversed not only to prove the allegations of fact but also to establish as correct the manner and form of the pleading.

Example: If a defendant in a lawsuit denies the allegations made by the plaintiff, they may do so by stating "I deny the allegations in manner and form as they are stated."

Explanation: This means that the defendant is not only denying the facts alleged by the plaintiff but is also challenging the way in which the allegations were made. The burden is then on the plaintiff to prove both the facts and the manner and form of their pleading.