Pleadings and Motions. Pleadings in civil litigation are formal written documents that outline the claims, defenses, and legal arguments of the parties involved in a lawsuit.- (1) Each averment of a pleading shall be simple, concise, and direct. No technical forms of pleading or motions are required. What must be included in the complaint? Rule 8(a) of the Rules of Civil Procedure describes basic pleading requirements. If the court grants a motion for a more definite statement, the responsive pleading shall be served within 20 days after service of the more definite statement. Documents filed in paper with the court should be unfolded and firmly bound with no manuscript cover. In no event will the CIU of Legal Aid of North. In the State of North Carolina.