Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41 (1957). page 16.

notice pleadings

Black members of a collective bargaining group ask that their agent represent them fairly under the Railway Labor Act. They allege in their complaint that they have been the subject of discrimination by the railroad and that the Union has done nothing to protect them thus violating the Railway Labor Act.

The District Court granted the motion to dismiss on the grounds that the Adjustment Board was given exclusive jurisdiction over the controversy by Congress. The Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit relying on the same holding affirmed. This could granted cert. since the case raised an important question concerning the protection of employee rights.

Is the complaint sufficient to allow the case to proceed?

As long as the complaint gives "notice" to the defendant and it is beyond doubt that the P can prove no set of facts which would entitle him to relief under the claim, the pleading will not be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.

The complaint sufficiently complied with rule 8 and the case can proceed.

The complaint adequately set forth a claim upon which relief could be granted. The court follows the rule that a complaint should not be dismissed for failure to state a claim unless it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of his claim which would entitle him to relief.

Rule 8 is referred to as the "notice pleading." P must give D fair notice of what the claim is. Also rule 8(f) states that "all pleadings shall be so construed as to do substantial justice." Petitioners' complaint adequately set forth a claim and gave the respondents fair notice of its basis.