12303. Answering the Statement of Claim

(a) Respondent(s) must serve each other party with the following documents within 45 days of receipt of the statement of claim:

The respondent may include any additional documents supporting the answer to the statement of claim. Parties that fail to answer in the time provided may be subject to default proceedings under Rule 12801.

(b) The answer to the statement of claim may include any counterclaims against the claimant, cross claims against other respondents, or third party claims, specifying all relevant facts and remedies requested, as well as any additional documents supporting such claim. If the answer contains a third party claim, the respondent must serve the third party with the answer containing the third party claim and all documents previously served by any party, or sent to the parties by the Director, by first-class mail, overnight mail service, overnight delivery service, hand delivery, email or facsimile, and must file proof of service with the Director through the Party Portal except as provided in Rule 12300(a)(2). The respondent must file the third party claim with the Director through the Party Portal except as provided in Rule 12300(a)(2).

(c) At the same time that the answer to the statement of claim is served on the other parties, the respondent must file copies of the Submission Agreement, the answer to the statement of claim, and any additional documents, with the Director, pursuant to Rule 12300(b).

(d) If the answer to the statement of claim contains any counterclaims, cross claims or third party claims, the respondent must pay all required filing fees.