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Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

Filing a lawsuit (often called a plaintiff’s petition or complaint) generally requires the plaintiff to file a document (often electronically) in the general form required by the rules of procedure in the applicable state or federal court system, and to pay a filing fee. The petition or complaint must give the defendant (person or entity being sued) reasonable notice of the legal claims asserted and the factual basis for those claims.

In California, initiating a lawsuit involves the plaintiff filing a petition or complaint with the appropriate court. This document must adhere to the California Rules of Court regarding format and content. The complaint should clearly outline the legal claims against the defendant and provide a factual basis for each claim to ensure the defendant receives reasonable notice. Filing can often be done electronically through the court's electronic filing system. Additionally, the plaintiff is required to pay a filing fee, which varies depending on the type of case and the court. After filing, the plaintiff must serve the defendant with a copy of the complaint and a summons, which informs the defendant of the lawsuit and the requirement to respond within a certain timeframe. Failure to properly serve the defendant can result in delays or dismissal of the case.

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Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

Legal Services for Less than 99¢ a Day

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California State Code

California State Code

Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

Articles