Rule To Plead
Defined in 4 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
A rule Issuing as of course to plaintiff under the common-law practice requiring defendant to plead to the declaration within a time specified.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
A rule of court requiring defendant to plead within a given time, entered as of course by the plaintiff on filing his declaration, or thereafter. On defendant’s failure to put in his plea accordingly, a judgment in the nature of a judgment by default may be entered against him. In England, under the common-law Procedure Act of 1852, the rule to plead is abolished, a notice to plead indorsed on the declaration being sufficient. The Judicature Act of 1875 allows the defendant eight days for his defense after the delivery of the statement of claim. ^
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A rule of court, taken by a plaintiff as of course, requiring the defendant to plead within a given time, on pnin of having judgment taken against him by default.
Defined under Rule in Black's Law Dictionary.