The defenses of a party are alleged in the answer to the pleading asserting a claim against him.An answer may be responded to by a reply. (n)

The statement you provided is a legal principle that explains how a defendant responds to a claim made against them in a lawsuit. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

1. A claim is made against a party (the defendant) in a legal proceeding. This is usually done through a document called a 'complaint' or 'petition' which outlines the plaintiff's allegations.

2. The defendant must respond to this claim. They do this through a document called an 'answer'. In the answer, the defendant will state their defenses to the plaintiff's claim. This could involve denying the allegations, stating that even if the allegations are true they do not amount to a legal wrong, or asserting that they have a legal excuse for their actions.

3. The plaintiff may then respond to the defendant's answer with a document called a 'reply'. In the reply, the plaintiff will address the defenses raised by the defendant in their answer.

This is a simplified explanation and the exact process can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific rules of the court where the lawsuit is taking place.