Alternative And Inconsistent Pleadings In Queensland

Alternative and Inconsistent Pleadings in Queensland are governed by UCPR rule 154. A party may advance inconsistent allegations or claims within one pleading if they are clearly expressed as alternatives. However, it cannot plead a factual version it must know is false, or contradict its own earlier pleading without amendment.

Each alternative needs supporting material facts, appropriate particulars and relief that matches the case advanced. Genuine uncertainty about events differs from knowingly pleading a false account. Groves v Groves illustrates a permissible conditional challenge to disputed guarantees; Mulivai v Utaileio shows why a joint defence can fail when one defendant must know which factual version is false.