Rule 12(a). When presented. Except as otherwise provided by statute applicable to particular defendants or proceedings, the responsive pleadings shall be served as follows: A defendant shall serve an answer within 20 days after the service of the summons and complaint upon that defendant, or within 20 days after the completion of service of process as provided in Rule 4, unless the court directs otherwise when service of process is made pursuant to Rule 4D(4). A party served with a pleading stating a cross-claim against that party shall serve an answer thereto within 20 days after the service upon that party. The plaintiff shall serve a reply to a counterclaim in the answer within 20 days after service of the answer, or, if a reply is ordered by the court, within 20 days after service of the order or such time as the order otherwise directs. The state, or any state board or state agency shall serve an answer to the complaint within 40 days after service upon the attorney general. Unless a different time is fixed by the court, when a motion permitted by these rules is served, the responsive pleading shall be served within 20 days after notice of the court's action if the court denies the motion or postpones its disposition until trial on the merits, and shall be served within 20 days after the service of the more definite statement if the court grants a motion for a more definite statement.

     History: En. Sec. 12, Ch. 13, L. 1961; amd Sec. 1, Ch. 89, L. 1963; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. Oct. 9, 1984, eff. Oct. 9, 1984; amd. Sup. Ct. Ord. May 1, 1990, eff. May 1, 1990.