A general denial in federal court refers to a legal response filed by a defendant in a civil lawsuit where they deny all the allegations made against them in the plaintiff's complaint. It is a straightforward and commonly used defense strategy that aims to contest the claims made by the plaintiff and force them to present evidence to support their allegations. In a general denial, the defendant typically denies each specific allegation individually, without providing any further explanation or defense. This response puts the burden of proof on the plaintiff to prove their case in court by providing evidence and convincing the judge or jury of the validity of their claims. By filing a general denial, the defendant does not need to present any affirmative defenses or counterclaims at this stage. Instead, they simply deny all the allegations and preserve their right to introduce defense strategies and evidence later in the litigation process. It is worth noting that a general denial is a pleading that is specific to federal court. In state court, defendants often have the option to file an answer instead, which may include affirmative defenses and counterclaims. Though the term "general denial" generally refers to a blanket denial of all allegations, there is also a specific form of general denial known as the "verdict-style general denial." This variant is less common but can be used when a defendant wants to deny all allegations in a more streamlined manner, typically by incorporating a prescribed form or template provided by the court. In summary, a general denial in federal court is a defendant's response to a plaintiff's complaint in a civil lawsuit, denying all allegations made against them. It forces the plaintiff to present evidence and prove their case. While the general denial is a standard practice, there is also a verdict-style general denial available as an alternative option in specific cases.