[________________________________] JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

PARISH OF [________________________________], STATE OF LOUISIANA

[________________________________],
Plaintiff,

v.

[________________________________],
Defendant.

Docket No.: [________________________________]
Division: [____]
Judge: [________________________________]

DECLINATORY EXCEPTION, DILATORY EXCEPTION, AND/OR PEREMPTORY EXCEPTION

(Louisiana Equivalent of Motion to Dismiss)

CRITICAL NOTE — LOUISIANA DOES NOT USE "MOTIONS TO DISMISS":
Louisiana civil procedure does not have a "motion to dismiss" equivalent to Federal Rule 12(b) or other states' rules. Instead, Louisiana uses three types of exceptions governed by La. C.C.P. Arts. 921–934:

1. Declinatory Exception — Declines the court's jurisdiction (analogous to jurisdictional challenges)
2. Dilatory Exception — Delays the litigation (analogous to procedural/service defects)
3. Peremptory Exception — Seeks dismissal on grounds that the action is legally nonexistent or barred by law (analogous to failure to state a claim, prescription, res judicata, etc.)

These exceptions have specific timing requirements and procedural rules. This template covers all three. Use only the exception(s) applicable to your case.

COMES NOW, Defendant [________________________________] ("Defendant"), through undersigned counsel, and pursuant to the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, Articles 921 et seq., respectfully files the following Exceptions to the Petition filed by Plaintiff [________________________________] ("Plaintiff"):

PART I — DECLINATORY EXCEPTION

(Challenges Jurisdiction of the Court — La. C.C.P. Art. 923)

(Use this section if challenging the court's jurisdiction over the subject matter or person, venue, or service)

A. Grounds — Declinatory Exception

Defendant urges the following declinatory exceptions pursuant to La. C.C.P. Art. 925 (check all that apply):

☐ Insufficiency of Citation or Service of Process (La. C.C.P. Art. 925(A)(1))
The citation or service of process is insufficient because [________________________________], in violation of La. C.C.P. Arts. 1201–1261.

☐ Lack of Jurisdiction Over Subject Matter (La. C.C.P. Art. 925(A)(2))
This Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over the claims alleged because [________________________________]. Subject matter jurisdiction is vested in [________________________________] pursuant to [________________________________].

☐ Lack of Jurisdiction Over the Person of Defendant (La. C.C.P. Art. 925(A)(3))
This Court lacks jurisdiction over the person of Defendant because [________________________________]. Defendant is domiciled in [________________________________] and lacks minimum contacts with Louisiana sufficient to support the exercise of personal jurisdiction consistent with La. R.S. § 13:3201 (Long-Arm Statute) and constitutional due process.

☐ Improper Venue (La. C.C.P. Art. 925(A)(4))
Venue is improper in [________________________________] Parish. Proper venue lies in [________________________________] Parish pursuant to La. C.C.P. Arts. 41–84 because [________________________________].

☐ Lis Pendens — Another Action Pending (La. C.C.P. Art. 925(A)(5))
There is another action pending between the same parties and involving the same transaction or occurrence in [________________________________] Court, Docket No. [________________________________].

B. Relief Requested — Declinatory Exception

WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that this Court:

☐ Transfer this action to the proper court/venue;
☐ Dismiss this action for lack of jurisdiction or improper venue;
☐ Quash the citation and service of process and grant Defendant additional time to respond;
☐ Stay this action pending resolution of the prior pending action;
☐ Grant such other relief as this Court deems appropriate.

PART II — DILATORY EXCEPTION

(Delays Litigation — La. C.C.P. Art. 924)

(Use this section if asserting procedural defects, lack of capacity, vagueness, or improper use of summary proceeding)

A. Grounds — Dilatory Exception

Defendant urges the following dilatory exceptions pursuant to La. C.C.P. Art. 926 (check all that apply):

☐ Prematurity (La. C.C.P. Art. 926(A)(1))
The action is premature because all conditions precedent to filing suit have not been satisfied. Specifically, [________________________________] has not yet been completed/satisfied.

☐ Want of Amicable Demand (La. C.C.P. Art. 926(A)(2))
Plaintiff failed to make an amicable demand prior to filing suit as required by [________________________________].

☐ Unauthorized Use of Summary Proceeding (La. C.C.P. Art. 926(A)(3))
The use of a summary proceeding is unauthorized because [________________________________]. This matter should proceed as an ordinary proceeding.

☐ Nonjoinder of a Party (La. C.C.P. Art. 926(A)(4))
Plaintiff has failed to join [________________________________] as a necessary party to this proceeding.

☐ Vagueness or Ambiguity of Petition (La. C.C.P. Art. 926(A)(5))
The Petition is so vague and ambiguous that Defendant cannot reasonably respond. Specifically, the following allegations are unclear: [________________________________].

☐ Lack of Procedural Capacity (La. C.C.P. Art. 926(A)(6))
Plaintiff lacks procedural capacity to bring this action because [________________________________]. Under La. C.C.P. Art. 683, [________________________________].

B. Relief Requested — Dilatory Exception

WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that this Court:

☐ Dismiss or stay this action for prematurity;
☐ Order Plaintiff to join necessary parties;
☐ Order Plaintiff to amend the Petition to provide a more definite statement;
☐ Transfer the action to an ordinary proceeding;
☐ Grant such other relief as this Court deems appropriate.

PART III — PEREMPTORY EXCEPTION

(Seeks Dismissal — La. C.C.P. Art. 927)

(Use this section to assert substantive grounds for dismissal — these are the most analogous to a federal-style motion to dismiss)

Note: The peremptory exception may be filed at any stage of the proceedings prior to submission of the case for decision. La. C.C.P. Art. 928(B). This is unlike the declinatory and dilatory exceptions, which must be filed earlier.

A. Grounds — Peremptory Exception

Defendant urges the following peremptory exceptions pursuant to La. C.C.P. Art. 927 (check all that apply):

☐ Prescription (La. C.C.P. Art. 927(A)(1) — Statute of Limitations / Statute of Repose)
Plaintiff's claims are prescribed (time-barred) under applicable Louisiana law. The relevant prescriptive period is:

• ☐ Delictual (tort) actions: 1 year from the date of the tortious act or discovery. La. Civ. Code Art. 3492.
• ☐ Contract actions: 10 years under La. Civ. Code Art. 3499 [or 3 years for actions on open account under Art. 3494].
• ☐ Actions for bodily injury: 1 year under La. Civ. Code Art. 3492.
• ☐ Other: [____] year(s) under La. Civ. Code Art. [________________________________] / La. R.S. [________________________________].

Plaintiff's cause of action accrued on or about [__/__/____]. This petition was filed on [__/__/____], which is [____] days/months/years after the applicable prescriptive period expired. The claims are prescribed and must be dismissed.

☐ Peremption (La. C.C.P. Art. 927(A)(2) — Statute of Repose)
Plaintiff's claims are perempted. Peremption extinguishes the right of action absolutely. The applicable peremptive period is [________________________________] under La. R.S. [________________________________]. The right of action arose on [__/__/____] and has been extinguished.

☐ Res Judicata (La. C.C.P. Art. 927(A)(3))
Plaintiff's claims are barred by the doctrine of res judicata. A final judgment was entered in [________________________________], Docket No. [________________________________], on [__/__/____], resolving the same cause of action between the same parties. La. R.S. § 13:4231.

☐ Nonjoinder of an Indispensable Party (La. C.C.P. Art. 927(A)(4))
Plaintiff has failed to join [________________________________], an indispensable party without whom complete relief cannot be accorded and whose interests would be inequitably affected.

☐ No Cause of Action (La. C.C.P. Art. 927(A)(5))
Plaintiff's Petition fails to state a cause of action recognized under Louisiana law. Even assuming all facts alleged in the Petition are true, there is no remedy available to Plaintiff under Louisiana law for the claims asserted because [________________________________].

☐ No Right of Action / Lack of Interest (La. C.C.P. Art. 927(A)(6))
Plaintiff lacks the right of action (standing) to bring this suit because [________________________________]. Under Louisiana law, a party must have a real and actual interest to assert a cause of action. La. C.C.P. Art. 681.

☐ Discharge in Bankruptcy (La. C.C.P. Art. 927(A)(7))
Plaintiff's claims were discharged in bankruptcy. Defendant received a discharge in bankruptcy proceedings, Case No. [________________________________], United States Bankruptcy Court, [________________________________] District of Louisiana, on [__/__/____].

B. Legal Standard — No Cause of Action (Peremptory Exception)

The peremptory exception of no cause of action tests the legal sufficiency of the petition. The court must accept all well-pleaded facts as true and determine whether the law affords a remedy. Fink v. Bryant, 2001-0987 (La. 11/28/01), 801 So. 2d 346, 348. No evidence may be introduced to support or controvert a peremptory exception of no cause of action — the court considers only the petition on its face. Badeaux v. Southwest Computer Bureau, 2005-0612 (La. 3/17/06), 929 So. 2d 1211.

If the petition does not adequately state a cause of action but the deficiency may be remedied by amendment, the court should allow amendment. La. C.C.P. Art. 934. If the defect cannot be cured, the action should be dismissed. Id.

C. Argument — Peremptory Exception

1. [Primary Ground — e.g., No Cause of Action / Prescription]

[________________________________]

Under Louisiana law, a claim for [________________________________] requires proof of: [________________________________]. [Case Name], [________________________________] So. [2d/3d] [____] (La. [Ct. App.] [____]); La. Civ. Code Art. [________________________________].

Plaintiff's Petition alleges only [________________________________]. These allegations, even if accepted as true, fail to state a recognized cause of action under Louisiana law because [________________________________].

Specifically, Plaintiff has not alleged:
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]

2. Prescription Analysis (if applicable)

[________________________________]

Louisiana applies a 1-year prescriptive period for tort claims under La. Civ. Code Art. 3492. Prescription commences to run from the day injury or damage is sustained, unless tolled by discovery rule. Wimberly v. Gatch, 635 So. 2d 206, 211 (La. 1994).

Plaintiff's claim arose on [__/__/____] when [________________________________]. Plaintiff filed this Petition on [__/__/____], more than one year later. The claim is prescribed.

D. Relief Requested — Peremptory Exception

WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that this Court:

☐ Sustain the Peremptory Exception of No Cause of Action and dismiss the Petition [with / without] prejudice;
☐ Sustain the Peremptory Exception of Prescription and dismiss the Petition with prejudice;
☐ Sustain the Peremptory Exception of No Right of Action and dismiss the Petition;
☐ Sustain the Peremptory Exception of Res Judicata and dismiss the Petition;
☐ [If amendment possible] Allow Plaintiff [____] days to amend the Petition, if the defect may be cured;
☐ Award Defendant costs and attorneys' fees as allowed by law; and
☐ Grant such other and further relief as this Court deems just.

IV. PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS — LOUISIANA-SPECIFIC

A. Timing for Filing Exceptions

Under La. C.C.P. Art. 928:
- Declinatory and Dilatory Exceptions must be filed before or with the answer. They cannot be filed after the answer has been filed.
- Peremptory Exceptions may be filed at any stage of the proceedings prior to submission of the case for decision. They may even be raised for the first time on appeal under limited circumstances.

B. Trial of Exceptions

Under La. C.C.P. Art. 929, declinatory and dilatory exceptions pleaded before or in the answer, and peremptory exceptions pleaded before the answer, shall be tried and decided in advance of the trial of the case.

C. Evidence at Hearing

Under La. C.C.P. Art. 931:
- Evidence may be introduced to support or controvert dilatory or declinatory exceptions.
- Evidence may not be introduced to support or controvert a peremptory exception of no cause of action — the court considers only the petition.
- Evidence may be introduced on peremptory exceptions of prescription, res judicata, and no right of action.

D. E-Filing — Louisiana e-Filing

All Louisiana district court filings are subject to electronic filing requirements through the Louisiana Supreme Court's e-filing system. Access varies by parish. Check local district court rules for electronic filing procedures.

E. Notice of Hearing

The moving party must schedule a hearing date with the court and provide proper notice to all parties pursuant to La. C.C.P. Art. 1571 et seq.

V. PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully prays for judgment:

1. SUSTAINING the Exception(s) filed herein;
2. DISMISSING Plaintiff's Petition [with / without] prejudice;
3. AWARDING Defendant its costs of these proceedings;
4. AWARDING Defendant its reasonable attorneys' fees to the extent permitted by law; and
5. GRANTING such other and further relief as this Court deems equitable and just.

Respectfully submitted,

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
Louisiana Bar Roll No.: [________________________________]
[________________________________] (Firm Name)
[________________________________] (Street Address)
[________________________________], Louisiana [____]
Telephone: ([____]) [____]-[________________________________]
Facsimile: ([____]) [____]-[________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

Counsel for Defendant [________________________________]

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on [__/__/____], a copy of the foregoing Exceptions was served upon the following counsel and/or parties by the method indicated:

[________________________________]
Counsel for Plaintiff
[________________________________]
[________________________________], Louisiana [____]

☐ Via Louisiana e-filing system (electronic service)
☐ Via United States Mail, First Class, postage prepaid
☐ Via hand delivery / personal service
☐ Via facsimile: ([____]) [____]-[________________________________]
☐ Via email (with consent): [________________________________]

[________________________________]
Louisiana Bar Roll No.: [________________________________]

APPENDIX: LOUISIANA-SPECIFIC PROCEDURAL CHECKLIST

☐ Correct exception type(s) identified (declinatory / dilatory / peremptory)
☐ Declinatory and dilatory exceptions filed before or with the answer
☐ Peremptory exception may be filed at any time before submission
☐ Hearing scheduled with proper notice (La. C.C.P. Art. 929)
☐ Evidence rules noted: no evidence on "no cause of action" exception
☐ Amendment opportunity considered (La. C.C.P. Art. 934)
☐ Louisiana prescription periods correctly identified (1-year tort; 10-year contract)
☐ Louisiana peremption vs. prescription distinction noted
☐ No right of action (standing) vs. no cause of action distinction noted
☐ Filed via Louisiana e-filing system (parish-specific portal)
☐ Louisiana Bar Roll Number included
☐ Certificate of Service completed
☐ Local district court rules for [________________________________] Parish reviewed
☐ Louisiana Long-Arm Statute (La. R.S. § 13:3201) analysis completed if challenging personal jurisdiction

Sources and References:
- La. C.C.P. Arts. 921–934: https://law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/code-of-civil-procedure/
- Louisiana Civil Code (Prescription): https://law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/civil-code/
- Louisiana Supreme Court / e-Filing: https://www.lasc.org
- Louisiana Legislature: https://www.legis.la.gov