2009 Iowa Code
Title 15 - Judicial Branch and Judicial Procedures
Subtitle 3 - Civil Procedure
CHAPTER 631 - SMALL CLAIMS
631.7 - PARTIES, PLEADINGS, AND MOTIONS.

        631.7  PARTIES, PLEADINGS, AND MOTIONS.
         1.  Except as specifically provided in this chapter, there shall
      be no written pleadings or motions unless the court in the interests
      of justice permits them, in which event they shall be similar in form
      to the original notice.
         2.  Motions, except a motion under rule of civil procedure 1.246,
      shall be heard only at the time set for a hearing on the merits.
         3.  Except as provided in section 631.8, subsection 4, a
      counterclaim, cross-petition or intervention shall be in writing and
      in the form promulgated under section 631.15.  Copies shall be
      submitted for each party appearing, and shall be mailed by ordinary
      mail to those parties by the clerk.  A cross-petition against persons
      not a party to the action shall be made pursuant to rule of civil
      procedure 1.246 and the new party shall be served with notice as
      provided in this chapter.
         4.  The rules of civil procedure pertaining to actions, joinder of
      actions, parties and intervention shall apply to small claims
      actions, except that rule of civil procedure 1.241 shall not apply.
      No counterclaim is necessary to assert an offset arising out of the
      subject matter of the plaintiff's claim.  A counterclaim,
      cross-petition, or intervention against an existing party is deemed
      denied and no responsive pleading by such party is required.  

         [C73, § 631.7, 631.8; C75, 77, 79, 81, § 631.7]