The defendant's written response saying which parts of the claim they admit, deny or don't know about.
What it means
A defence is the formal document a defendant files in answer to a statement of claim. It responds to each allegation by admitting it, denying it, or saying the defendant does not know and cannot admit it, and may raise positive defences. Filing a defence on time is what stops the plaintiff obtaining a default judgment. Together with the claim, the defence forms part of the pleadings that define the issues in dispute.
How it's used
In its defence, the company denied owing the money and said the work was never completed.
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