The PLD-C-010 form, Answer—Contract, is a Judicial Council of California pleading that tells the court and the other side you challenge a Complaint-Contract and what defenses you may raise. A defendant uses it to answer a complaint or cross-complaint by denying its statements, admitting some and denying others, stating affirmative defenses and asking the court for the relief listed in item 6. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF is published at courts.ca.gov. The form is approved for optional use under Code of Civil Procedure § 425.12.
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What is PLD-C-010?
Form PLD-C-010, Answer—Contract, is the Judicial Council of California pleading in which a defendant answers a complaint or cross-complaint, either by denying its statements or by admitting some and denying others, and lists any affirmative defenses.
The Judicial Council of California publishes the form, and the form itself states that it is approved for optional use under Code of Civil Procedure § 425.12. The California Courts self-help page describes it as the form that tells the court and the other side that you challenge the Complaint-Contract and what defenses you might raise. That page links it to its how-to instructions for Debt Collection.
The two-page form is built around six numbered items:
- Item 1: the number of pages in the pleading, including attachments and exhibits.
- Item 2: the name of the defendant who is answering.
- Item 3: a choice between a general denial (3.a) and an admission of everything except listed statements (3.b).
- Item 4: affirmative defenses, which are the additional reasons the plaintiff is not entitled to recover anything.
- Item 5: Other.
- Item 6: the defendant's prayer, which can include that the plaintiff take nothing, costs of suit and other relief.
The top of page 1 holds the caption: the attorney or party information, the court's name and address, the plaintiff and defendant, the case number and the name of the complaint or cross-complaint being answered. The form is dated Rev. January 1, 2007.
Who needs to file PLD-C-010?
A defendant who is answering a complaint or cross-complaint uses Form PLD-C-010. The form is for the party answering, whether that party appears with an attorney or without one; the top block asks for the attorney or party without attorney and, separately, the attorney for the party.
If you use the form to answer a cross-complaint, the form says that plaintiff means cross-complainant and defendant means cross-defendant, so the cross-defendant fills it out as the defendant.
The form carries one stated limit. Do not check the general denial box in item 3.a if the verified complaint or cross-complaint demands more than $1,000. In that case the form directs you to the other choice, item 3.b, where you admit the statements that are true and deny the rest.
The form is signed by the party or the attorney. The self-help page places it among the materials for Debt Collection, but the form itself is titled Answer—Contract and is not limited by its text to one kind of contract claim.
When to file PLD-C-010
You use Form PLD-C-010 once there is a complaint or cross-complaint to answer, because the form responds directly to it: the caption asks for the name on the complaint or cross-complaint you are answering. The form prints no due date of its own, so confirm the deadline that applies to your case with the court named in the caption.
Documents you need
- Attachment 3.b.(1): attach only if you check the box saying item 3.b.(1) is continued; it lists the statements you claim are false, by paragraph number or explanation.
- Attachment 3.b.(2): attach only if you check the box saying item 3.b.(2) is continued; it lists the statements you deny because you have no information or belief that they are true.
- Attachment 4: attach only if you check the box saying the affirmative defenses in item 4 are continued.
- Any other attachments or exhibits you add to the pleading; item 1 requires the page count to include them.
How to fill out PLD-C-010
Enter attorney or party information
At the top left, enter the name and address of the attorney or party without attorney, the telephone number, and the name of the party the attorney represents. Leave the FOR COURT USE ONLY space blank.
Enter the court's name and address
In the court block, insert the name of the court, the judicial district or branch court if any, and its post office and street address.
Identify the parties and case
Enter the PLAINTIFF, the DEFENDANT and the CASE NUMBER in the caption.
Name the pleading you are answering
Under ANSWER—Contract, enter the name in TO COMPLAINT OF (name) or TO CROSS-COMPLAINT (name), according to what you are answering. For a cross-complaint, read plaintiff as cross-complainant and defendant as cross-defendant.
Complete items 1 and 2
In item 1, enter the total number of pages of the pleading, including attachments and exhibits. In item 2, enter the name of the defendant who is answering.
Choose one box in item 3
Check ONLY ONE: 3.a, a general denial of each statement, or 3.b, an admission that everything is true EXCEPT the statements you list. Do not check 3.a if the verified complaint or cross-complaint demands more than $1,000.
List disputed statements under item 3.b
If you checked 3.b, use item 3.b.(1) for statements you claim are false and 3.b.(2) for statements you deny for lack of information or belief. Use paragraph numbers or explain, or check the box for the continuation attachment.
State affirmative defenses in item 4
List the additional reasons the plaintiff is not entitled to recover anything, or check the box for Attachment 4 if the defenses continue on a separate page.
Use item 5 for anything else
Enter other matters you want to include in the answer in the Other space.
Complete the prayer in item 6
Check 6.a so that plaintiff take nothing, 6.b for costs of suit and 6.c if you ask for other relief, then specify it.
Complete page 2 and sign
Enter the short title and case number at the top of page 2. Type or print your name, then sign on the line for the signature of party or attorney.
Review, download and print
Check the page count in item 1 against your attachments and confirm only one box is checked in item 3. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and take it to the court as described under How to submit.
How to submit PLD-C-010
The form names no filing channel or address of its own. It is directed to the court whose name and address you enter at the top of page 1, and the California Courts self-help page says it tells the court and the other side that you challenge the complaint.
- Court named in the caption: enter the court's name, any judicial district or branch, and its post office and street address in the caption, then ask that court how it accepts filings for your case.
- Other side: the self-help page states that the answer goes to the other side as well as the court.
- Self-help page: how-to instructions for Debt Collection are linked at https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/jcc-form/PLD-C-010.
Include any attachments you referenced in items 3 and 4, and count them in item 1. The form's footer also tells you to press the clear button after printing, for protection and privacy. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels of the court handling your case.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Checking both boxes in item 3; the form says to check ONLY ONE of item 3.a and item 3.b.
- Checking the general denial in item 3.a when the verified complaint or cross-complaint demands more than $1,000, which the form says not to do.
- Entering the number of pages in item 1 without counting attachments and exhibits; the form says the count includes them.
- Marking "Continued on Attachment" for item 3.b.(1), 3.b.(2) or 4 and then not attaching the matching page.
- Listing disputed statements in item 3.b without paragraph numbers or an explanation, which the form asks you to supply.
- Answering a cross-complaint without remembering that plaintiff means cross-complainant and defendant means cross-defendant.
- Leaving the signature of party or attorney blank at the end of page 2.
- Leaving the short title and case number off page 2, which repeats those headings.
Frequently asked questions
What is the PLD-C-010 form?
The PLD-C-010 form is Answer—Contract, a Judicial Council of California pleading a defendant uses to answer a complaint or cross-complaint. It lets you deny the statements, admit some and deny others, list affirmative defenses and state what you ask of the court.
Can I fill out Form PLD-C-010 online?
Yes, you can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the answer with the court; you deliver it through the court's channels.
Can I check the general denial box in item 3.a?
Usually yes, but not always. The form says not to check item 3.a if the verified complaint or cross-complaint demands more than $1,000. In that case use item 3.b and list the statements you claim are false or deny for lack of information.
What is the difference between items 3.a and 3.b?
Item 3.a is a general denial of each statement. Item 3.b admits that all statements are true except the ones you list: those you claim are false in 3.b.(1) and those you deny for lack of information or belief in 3.b.(2). Check only one.
How do I use this form to answer a cross-complaint?
Enter the cross-complainant's name on the TO CROSS-COMPLAINT (name) line. The form states that when used for a cross-complaint, plaintiff means cross-complainant and defendant means cross-defendant, so the cross-defendant completes it as the defendant.
What goes in item 4, Affirmative Defenses?
Item 4 is for the additional reasons you allege that the plaintiff is not entitled to recover anything. Write them in the space, or check the box and continue them on Attachment 4. Item 5, Other, is for anything else you want to include.
Who signs Form PLD-C-010?
The party or the attorney signs at the end of page 2, on the line labeled signature of party or attorney, above the typed or printed name. The form has no separate notary or witness block.
Where do I file Form PLD-C-010?
The form prints no filing address. You enter the name and address of the court in the caption and file with that court; ask the court how it accepts filings. The California Courts self-help page for PLD-C-010 links how-to instructions for Debt Collection.
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