A party may amend his pleading once as a matter of course at any time before a responsive pleading is served.

• A. Before a responsive pleading is served
• B. After a responsive pleading is served
• C. Only with leave of court
• D. Only in supplemental pleadings

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is that amendments to pleadings can be made without court approval only before the other side serves a responsive pleading. This rule encourages parties to refine their claims early in the case without delays from court intervention. Once a responsive pleading has been served, you may amend only with the court’s leave or with the opposing party’s written consent. That’s why the correct understanding is that a party may amend once as a matter of course before a responsive pleading is served.

The other options don’t fit because:

• Amending after a responsive pleading is served requires the court’s permission or the other party’s written consent.

• Needing leave of court is not necessary before a responsive pleading is served.

• Supplemental pleadings pertain to adding new information after the initial pleadings, not the base rule about amending as a matter of course.