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In law, anallegation is a claim of an unprovenfact by aparty in apleading, charge, or defense. Until they can beproved, allegations remain merely assertions.[1]
There are also marital allegations: marriage bonds and allegations exist for couples who applied tomarry by licence. They do not exist for couples whomarried by banns. The marriage allegation was the document in which the couple alleged (or most frequently just the groom alleged on behalf of both of them) that there were no impediments to the marriage.
Generally, in a civilcomplaint, aplaintiff alleges facts sufficient to establish all the elements of theclaim and thus states acause of action. The plaintiff must then carry theburden of proof and theburden of persuasion in order to succeed in thelawsuit.
Adefendant can allegeaffirmative defenses in its answer to the complaint.
Other allegations are required in a pleading to establish the correctjurisdiction,personal jurisdiction andsubject matter jurisdiction.
Disjunctive allegations are allegations in a pleading joined by an "or". In a complaint, disjunctive allegations are usuallyper se defective because such a pleading does not put the party on notice of which allegations they must defend.[1]
On the other hand, defendants oftenplead in the alternative by listing seemingly inconsistent defenses. For example, "I did not do the crime", "if I did, I didn't know", or "even if I did know, I've got a good excuse". Such a pleading may be considered disjunctive and may be permissible.
"Adduction" is another term relating to allegations. Evidence is said to be adduced, in the process of putting forward or presenting evidence or arguments for consideration by the court.[2]
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