[COURT HEADER – 2" TOP MARGIN]
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
CIVIL DIVISION
────────────────────────────────────────
[PLAINTIFF NAME], )
)
Plaintiff, )
) Case No.: [_]
v. ) Judge: [_]
)
[DEFENDANT NAME], )
)
Defendant. )
────────────────────────────────────────
MOTION OF [DEFENDANT NAME] TO DISMISS
PURSUANT TO SUPER. CT. CIV. R. 12
[// GUIDANCE: Replace bracketed text with client-specific information.
Confirm that all factual assertions have evidentiary support.]
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………….………..… 2
2. Procedural Background ……………………………………………………………..……… 2
3. Applicable Legal Standards ………………………………………………………….…… 3
4. Argument …………………………………………………………………………………………….… 4
4.1 Lack of Subject-Matter Jurisdiction (Rule 12(b)(1)) …………..…… 4
4.2 Insufficient Service of Process (Rule 12(b)(5)) ……………….……… 5
4.3 Failure to State a Claim (Rule 12(b)(6)) ……………………………….… 6
5. Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………….… 7
6. Rule 12-I Certification of Good-Faith Effort ……………………………….… 8
7. Statement of Points & Authorities ………………………………………….…… 9
8. Request for Oral Argument …………………………………………………………… 10
9. Proposed Order (Attachment A) ………………………………………………… 11
10. Certificate of Service …………………………………………………………………… 12
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1. INTRODUCTION
Defendant [DEFENDANT NAME] (“Defendant”) respectfully moves this Court, pursuant to
Superior Court of the District of Columbia Civil Rule 12, to dismiss the Complaint filed
by Plaintiff [PLAINTIFF NAME] (“Plaintiff”) in its entirety.
As set forth below, (i) this Court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction, (ii) Plaintiff failed
to effect proper service of process, and (iii) even if service were adequate, the
Complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
-
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
[Provide concise chronology: date of filing, service attempts, prior motions, etc.] -
APPLICABLE LEGAL STANDARDS
3.1 Rule 12(b)(1) – Subject-Matter Jurisdiction
The Court must dismiss any action over which it lacks jurisdiction. Super. Ct. Civ.
R. 12(b)(1).
3.2 Rule 12(b)(5) – Insufficient Service of Process
A defendant may move to dismiss where service does not comply with Super. Ct. Civ.
R. 4. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12(b)(5).
3.3 Rule 12(b)(6) – Failure to State a Claim
To survive a motion under Rule 12(b)(6), a complaint must contain factual matter
sufficient to state a plausible claim for relief. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12(b)(6).
[// GUIDANCE: Insert controlling DC statutes or regulations ONLY if absolutely certain.]
- ARGUMENT
4.1 The Court Lacks Subject-Matter Jurisdiction
[Explain basis—e.g., exclusive federal jurisdiction, amount-in-controversy deficiency,
governmental immunity, etc. Provide concise statutory references where applicable.]
4.2 Plaintiff Failed to Perfect Service of Process
a. Governing Rule. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4(c)(3) requires …
b. Improper Service. Plaintiff attempted service by [method], which does not satisfy
Rule 4.
c. Prejudice & Mandatory Dismissal. Because the 90-day window under Rule 4(m)
elapsed on [DATE], dismissal is warranted.
4.3 The Complaint Fails To State Any Cognizable Claim
a. Count I – [e.g., Breach of Contract].
i. No Contract Alleged.
ii. No Consideration Pleaded.
b. Count II – [e.g., Negligence].
i. Economic-loss rule bars tort recovery.
ii. No duty alleged.
[// GUIDANCE: Use sub-points for each asserted cause of action.]
-
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Defendant respectfully requests that the Court GRANT this
Motion and DISMISS the Complaint with prejudice. -
RULE 12-I CERTIFICATION OF GOOD-FAITH EFFORT
Pursuant to Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12-I(a), undersigned counsel certifies that on
[DATE], counsel conferred with Plaintiff’s counsel by [phone/email] in a good-faith
effort to determine whether the matters raised herein could be resolved, but no
agreement could be reached. -
STATEMENT OF POINTS & AUTHORITIES
• Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12(b)(1), (5), (6)
• Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4, 4(m)
• Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12-I
• [Insert strictly necessary statutory provisions, e.g., D.C. Code § [____]]
[// GUIDANCE: DC mandates a separate “points and authorities” section; omit case law per policy.]
- REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT
Pursuant to Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12-I(k), Defendant requests oral argument on this
Motion. Oral argument is appropriate because it will assist the Court in resolving
the jurisdictional and pleading issues presented.
Respectfully submitted,
[ATTORNEY NAME] (Bar No. [_____])
[FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]
Counsel for Defendant
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ATTACHMENT A – PROPOSED ORDER
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
CIVIL DIVISION
[Caption identical to main motion]
ORDER
Upon consideration of Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss, any opposition thereto, the
entire record herein, and for good cause shown, it is this ___ day of __, 20__,
ORDERED that Defendant’s Motion is GRANTED; and it is further
ORDERED that the Complaint is DISMISSED [with/without] prejudice.
Judge, Superior Court of D.C.
Copies to: All counsel of record via CaseFileXpress.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that on this ___ day of ____, 20__, a true and correct copy
of the foregoing Motion to Dismiss, Proposed Order, and supporting documents were
served via [CaseFileXpress/e-service / first-class mail] upon:
[COUNSEL NAME]
[LAW FIRM]
[ADDRESS]
[EMAIL]
[ATTORNEY NAME]
[// GUIDANCE:
1. Briefing Schedule – Under Super. Ct. Civ. R. 12-I, oppositions are due 14 days
after service; replies 7 days thereafter. Adjust if a scheduling order provides
otherwise.
2. Oral Argument – Include explicit request; the Court may rule on papers absent a
request.
3. Verify all factual assertions and confirm compliance with Rule 11 before filing.
4. Attach additional exhibits (affidavits, documents) as necessary to support any
jurisdictional or service-related factual contentions.
5. For mixed federal claims filed in Superior Court, assess removal and/or federal
preemption before moving to dismiss.]