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New Hampshire procedure focuses on “what justice require[s],” not on “strict precision in form.” In re Proposed Rules of Civil Procedure, 139 N.H. 512, 515-16 (1995); see Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 346 (1950) (“It is probably no exaggeration to say that in no state is pleading treated more liberally and regarded as less of a game than in this jurisdiction.”).

“Pleadings ought to be simple, concise and indicate the theory on which the plaintiff is proceeding so that the opposing party can adequately defend.” Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 345- 46 (1950).

The plaintiff correctly notes that the prayer for relief in its petition for declaratory judgment requested that “the Plaintiff be awarded attorney’s fees in this action.” It then contends, citing Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 346 (1950), that under New Hampshire law, this adequately informed the City of its claim for redress.

Green v. Shaw, 114 N.H. 289, 291, 319 A.2d 284, 285 (1974); Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 346, 76 A.2d 791, 792 (1950).

ual protection, due process, and other rights and privileges conferred under Part I, Articles 2, 8, 12, 14, and 20 of the New Hampshire Constitution, and the Fifth, Seventh, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution; and (2) the superior court erred in requiring them to follow substantive pleading requirements greater than or different from those set forth in Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 345-46, 76 A.2d 791, 792 (1950).

Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 346, 76 A.2d 791, 792 (1950) (stating that in New Hampshire pleading need merely put court and counsel on notice of dispute).

It is well settled that a “defendant is entitled to be informed of the theory on which the plaintiffs are proceeding and the redress that they claim as a result of the defendant’s actions.” Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 346, 76 A.2d 791, 792 (1950).

In Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 76 A.2d 791 (1950), this court held that the use of equity to preserve the status quo is not necessarily a bar to a pending law action for damages formerly suffered.

.” R. Wiebusch, 4 New Hampshire Practice, Civil Practice and Procedure § 214, at 158 (1984) (citing Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 76 A.2d 791 (1950)).

Such a rule is in keeping with the general principle of pleading laid down by this court in 1950: “Pleadings ought to be simple, *160 concise and indicate the theory on which the plaintiff [or defendant] is proceeding so that the opposing party can adequately defend.” Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 345-46, 76 A.2d 791, 792 (1950); see also Fortier v. Stone, 79 N.H. 235, 239-40, 107 A. 342, 343-44 (1919) (in assault case, jury instruction on self-defense should not have been given where defenda

Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 345-46, 76 A.2d 791, 792 (1950); see also Walker v. Walker, 63 N.H. 321, 326-28 (1885) (Doe, C.J.).

Berlinguette v. Stanton, 120 N.H. 760, 762, 423 A.2d 289, 290 (1980); Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 346, 76 A.2d 791, 792 (1950).

They should be “simple, concise and indicate the theory on which the plaintiff is proceeding so that the opposing party can adequately defend.” Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 345-46, 76 A.2d 791, 792 (1950).

Defendant also asserts that it is entitled to be informed by plaintiff’s pleading of the nature of the legal action.

Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 346, 76 A.2d 791, 792 (1950); see Berhalter v. Berhalter, 315 Pa.

Such diffuse and prolix pleadings are not to be recommended.

109 N.H. 312, 251 A.2d 336 (1969); see, e.g., Morphy v. Morphy, 112 N.H. 507, 298 A.2d 580 (1972); Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 76 A.2d 791 (1950).

Co., 107 N.H. 6, 216 A.2d 793 (1966); Morency v. Plourde, 96 N.H. 344, 76 A.2d 791 (1950); see Superior Court Rule 24.