[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted for use in the Vermont Superior Court - Civil Division.
It integrates the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure (“V.R.C.P.”) and is structured
for dispositive motion practice under V.R.C.P. 12(b) and Rule 78.
Delete bracketed text and guidance before filing. ]
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I. DOCUMENT HEADER
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STATE OF VERMONT
SUPERIOR COURT — [COUNTY] UNIT
CIVIL DIVISION
[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,
v.
[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.
Docket No.: [DOCKET NO.]
DEFENDANT [DEFENDANT NAME]’S
MOTION TO DISMISS PURSUANT TO V.R.C.P. 12(b)[(1)] [(2)] [(3)] [(4)] [(5)] [(6)] [(7)]
Filed: [DATE]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1. Introduction ......................................................... 2
2. Procedural Background ........................................ 2
3. Standard of Review ............................................. 3
4. Argument .............................................................. 4
4.1 Lack of Subject-Matter Jurisdiction (12(b)(1)) ......... 4
4.2 Lack of Personal Jurisdiction (12(b)(2)) ................... 5
4.3 Failure to State a Claim (12(b)(6)) ........................... 6
4.4 Failure to Join Indispensable Party (12(b)(7)) ............ 7
5. Request for Oral Argument .................................. 8
6. Conclusion & Prayer for Relief ............................. 8
7. Proposed Order (separate page) ........................... 9
8. Certificate of Service ......................................... 10
[// GUIDANCE: Update page numbers after final edits.]
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II. MOTION
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-
Introduction
Pursuant to Vt. R. Civ. P. 12(b)[SELECT SUBSECTIONS], Defendant [DEFENDANT NAME] (“Defendant”) respectfully moves this Court to dismiss the Complaint filed by Plaintiff [PLAINTIFF NAME] (“Plaintiff”) in its entirety. As set forth below, the Court lacks [subject-matter/personal] jurisdiction, and even if jurisdiction exists, the Complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. -
Procedural Background
2.1 This action was commenced on [SERVICE DATE] when Plaintiff filed a [NUMBER]-count Complaint alleging [BRIEF DESCRIPTION].
2.2 Defendant was served on [DATE] and now timely files this Motion within the period permitted by Vt. R. Civ. P. 12(a).
2.3 No discovery schedule or trial date has been set. -
Standard of Review
3.1 On a motion under Rule 12(b)(6), the Court accepts well-pleaded factual allegations as true but need not accept legal conclusions. See Vt. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6).
3.2 Under Rules 12(b)(1) and 12(b)(2), the burden rests on the plaintiff to establish jurisdiction; the Court may consider materials outside the pleadings.
3.3 Dismissal is required where “it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of the claim which would entitle the plaintiff to relief.” Vt. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) cmt. (derived from federal analogue). -
Argument
4.1 Lack of Subject-Matter Jurisdiction — Rule 12(b)(1)
a. Plaintiff seeks [TYPE OF RELIEF] that is exclusively within the jurisdiction of [ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY/PROBATE COURT], not this Court.
b. [Insert additional jurisdictional defects.]
WHEREFORE, dismissal is mandated under Vt. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1).
4.2 Lack of Personal Jurisdiction — Rule 12(b)(2)
a. Defendant is a [STATE] corporation with no contacts purposely directed at Vermont.
b. The alleged conduct occurred wholly outside Vermont; exercising jurisdiction would offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.
c. Plaintiff bears the burden of proof and cannot satisfy Vermont’s long-arm statute.
Accordingly, the Court should dismiss for want of personal jurisdiction.
4.3 Failure to State a Claim — Rule 12(b)(6)
Count I (Breach of Contract)
i. Essential element of a contract—consideration—is absent on the face of the Complaint.
ii. Alleged oral promises are unenforceable under the Statute of Frauds, 9A V.S.A. § 2-201.
Count II (Negligence)
i. Plaintiff alleges purely economic loss; Vermont’s economic-loss doctrine bars recovery in tort absent an independent duty.
For these reasons, Counts I and II must be dismissed with prejudice.
4.4 Failure to Join a Required Party — Rule 12(b)(7)
a. [NON-PARTY NAME] owns 50 % of the property at issue and is indispensable under Vt. R. Civ. P. 19(a)(1).
b. Joinder is not feasible due to [JURISDICTIONAL DEFECT], compelling dismissal.
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Request for Oral Argument
Pursuant to Vt. R. Civ. P. 78(b)(2), Defendant respectfully requests oral argument. Oral presentation will assist the Court in resolving the jurisdictional issues outlined above.
[// GUIDANCE: Strike this paragraph if oral argument is NOT desired. A motion is ordinarily decided on the papers unless the Court orders or a party requests argument.] -
Conclusion & Prayer for Relief
WHEREFORE, Defendant prays that the Court:
a. Grant this Motion and dismiss Plaintiff’s Complaint in its entirety with prejudice;
b. Award Defendant its costs and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Respectfully submitted this ___ day of ____, 20__.
[ATTORNEY NAME], Esq.
[VT BAR NO.]
Counsel for Defendant
[FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]
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III. PROPOSED ORDER
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STATE OF VERMONT
SUPERIOR COURT — [COUNTY] UNIT
CIVIL DIVISION
[PLAINTIFF NAME], Plaintiff,
v.
[DEFENDANT NAME], Defendant.
Docket No.: [DOCKET NO.]
ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS
On consideration of Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss, any opposition, and the entire record herein, the Court finds the Motion well-taken.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Defendant’s Motion is GRANTED;
2. Plaintiff’s Complaint is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE; and
3. [Optional: The Clerk shall enter judgment in favor of Defendant and close the docket.]
SO ORDERED this ___ day of ____, 20__.
Judge, Vermont Superior Court
Civil Division – [County] Unit
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IV. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
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I hereby certify that on this ___ day of ____, 20__, I caused a true and correct copy of the foregoing Motion to Dismiss to be served upon all counsel of record via:
☐ Vermont Odyssey E-filing System
☐ First-class mail, postage prepaid
☐ Email (by agreement)
[ATTORNEY NAME]
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KEY VERMONT MOTION PRACTICE NOTES
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[// GUIDANCE: Include or delete this page at counsel’s discretion.]
- Timing – Opposition papers to a dispositive motion are due 30 days after service. Vt. R. Civ. P. 78(b)(1).
- Reply – A reply memorandum may be filed within 14 days after service of the opposition unless the Court orders otherwise. Id.
- Oral Argument – A party requesting argument must do so within the motion or opposition; the clerk will schedule if the Court grants the request. Vt. R. Civ. P. 78(b)(2).
- Rule 11 – The signature block constitutes a certification that the filing complies with Vt. R. Civ. P. 11(b).
- Waiver – Certain 12(b) defenses (e.g., personal jurisdiction, improper venue) are waived if not raised by motion before pleading. Ensure all applicable defenses are included.