A Motion to Strike is similar to a Demurrer, in that it challenges defects in the complaint. However, the two pleadings challenge different types of defects. A Demurrer is used to challenge the legal sufficiency or clarity of the claims.
What happens next? If we filed the motion to strike in a trial court, then we will set the motion to be heard by a judge or magistrate, and be ruled upon. If we filed it in an appeals court, the appeals court will read the motion and offending document and will rule on it without hearing.
A notice of motion to strike must be given within the time allowed to plead, and if a demurrer is interposed, concurrently therewith, and must be noticed for hearing and heard at the same time as the demurrer.
If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, the defendant has to file and serve the demurrer or motion to strike within the deadline (usually 30 days) for responding to the Complaint. The other side then gets a chance to file a response before a court date where the judge will make a decision.
As with all motions, a motion to strike must state with particularity the grounds for seeking the order to strike, as well as the relief sought. FRCP 7(b); Smart Code®. Under FRCP 12(f), the court may strike from a pleading an insufficient defense or any redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter.
If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, the defendant has to file and serve the demurrer or motion to strike within the deadline (usually 30 days) for responding to the Complaint. The other side then gets a chance to file a response before a court date where the judge will make a decision.
I. Reason for Motion to Strike A motion to strike can be brought to strike any “irrelevant, false or improper matter inserted in any pleading,” or to challenge a pleading that is “not drawn or filed in conformity with the laws of this state, a court rule or order of court.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 436.)