Under what condition can a party plead a non-admission?

A party can plead a non-admission when there is uncertainty about the truth of an allegation. This condition is crucial because a non-admission allows a party to effectively indicate that they do not accept the truth of the opposing party’s claim without making a definitive admission or outright denial. This approach acknowledges the existence of the allegation while also asserting that the party cannot affirm its truthfulness due to a lack of information or clarity surrounding the matter.

Pleading non-admission serves several purposes, such as preserving the party's right to dispute the allegation while avoiding the need to provide a detailed rebuttal unless the matter is contested at trial or in further pleadings. This is particularly helpful in complex cases where certain facts may not be readily ascertainable, thus preventing a party from inadvertently accepting a position they cannot clearly refute.

In contrast, expressing confidence in one’s position or asserting that the case is clear-cut does not align with the rationale for a non-admission. Confidence implies a position that one can support, and a clear-cut case suggests that the facts are unequivocal, which would typically lead to a direct admission or an outright denial, rather than a non-admission. Similarly, the absence of evidence does not justify a non-admission; that situation might