n. the declaration under oath or upon penalty of perjury that a statement or pleading is true, located at the end of a document. A typical verification reads: "I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that I have read the above complaint and I know it is true of my own knowledge, except as to those things stated upon information and belief, and as to those I believe it to be true. Executed January 3, 1995, at Monrovia, California. (signed) Georgia Garner, declarant." If a complaint is verified then the answer to the complaint must be verified. (See: complaint, answer, oath)
VERIFICATION, pleading. Whenever new matter is introduced on either side,
the plea must conclude with a verification or averment, in order that the
other party may have an opportunity of answering it. Carth. 337; 1 Lutw.
201; 2 Wils. 66; Dougl. 60; 2 T. R. 576; 1 Saund, 103, n. 1; Com. Dig.
Pleader, E.
2. The usual verification of a plea containing matter of fact, is in
these words, "And this he is ready to verify," &c. See 1 Chit. Pl. 537, 616;
Lawes, Civ. Pl. 144; 1 Saund, 103, n. 1; Willes, R. 5; 3 Bl. Com. 309.
3. In one instance however, new matter need not conclude with a
verification and then the pleader may pray judgment without it; for example,
when the matter pleaded is merely negative. Willes, R. 5; Lawes on Pl. 145.
The reason of it is evident, a negative requires no proof; and it would
therefore be impertinent or nugatory for the pleader, who pleads a negative
matter, to declare his readiness to prove it.
VERIFICATION, practice. The examination of the truth of a writing; the certificate that the writing is true. Vide Authentication.