Opinion
Civil Action No. 10 0009.
December 29, 2009
MEMORANDUM OPINION
For purposes of this Memorandum Opinion and Order, the Court consolidates three separate complaints, each submitted with an application to proceed in forma pauperis.
Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires that a complaint contain a short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the court's jurisdiction depends, a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and a demand for judgment for the relief the pleader seeks. Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a). The purpose of the minimum standard of Rule 8 is to give fair notice to the defendants of the claim being asserted, sufficient to prepare a responsive answer, to prepare an adequate defense and to determine whether the doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977).
Plaintiff's complaint sets forth no facts at all, and utterly fails to comply with the minimal requirements of Rule 8(a). Neither the court nor the defendants can discern the nature or basis of plaintiff's claim, and the basis of the court's jurisdiction is unclear. As drafted, the complaint fails to comply with Rule 8(a), and, accordingly, the complaint will be dismissed. An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion will be issued on this same date.