Rule 3:8 - Answers, Pleas, Demurrers and Motions(a)Response Requirement. A defendant must file pleadings in response within 21 days after service of the summons and complaint upon that defendant, or if service of the summons has been timely waived on request under Code § 8.01-286.1, within 60 days after the date when the request for waiver was sent, or within 90 days after that date if the defendant was addressed outside the Commonwealth. Pleadings in response under this Rule other than an answer are limited to the following, and are deemed responsive only to the specific count or counts addressed therein: a demurrer, plea, motion to dismiss, motion for a bill of particulars, motion craving oyer, and a written motion asserting any preliminary defense permitted under Code § 8.01-276.I f a defendant files no other pleading in response than the answer, it must be filed within the applicable 21-day, 60-day, or 90-day period specified in this Rule. An answer must respond to the paragraphs of the complaint. A general denial of the entire complaint or plea of the general issue is not permitted.(b)Response After Demurrer, Plea or Motion When the court has entered its order overruling all motions, demurrers and other pleas filed by a defendant as a responsive pleading, such defendant must, unless the defendant has already done so, file an answer within 21 days after the entry of such order, or within such shorter or longer time as the court may prescribe. If the court grants a motion craving oyer, unless the defendant has already filed an answer or another responsive pleading, the defendant must file an answer or another responsive pleading within 21 days after plaintiff files the document(s) for which oyer was granted, or within such shorter or longer time as the court may prescribe.Amended by order dated June 14, 2005, effective 1/1/2006; amended by order dated February 28, 2006, effective 5/1/2006; amended by order dated September 3, 2020, effective 9/3/2020; amended by order dated November 23, 2020, effective 3/1/2021; amended by order dated May 5, 2021, effective 7/5/2021.