ANATOMY OF A LAWSUIT
BOOST YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH BASIC ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION
- Service of Summons and Complaint A summons informs the party that they are being sued and gives the days in which the party has to serve an answer or response.
- Complaint The statement of the parties, issues and the relief being requested.
- Filing of the Complaint and Proof of Service This makes the lawsuit official and informs the Court of the lawsuit.
- Discovery Where a party obtains evidence to prove the case. These include:
- Depositions- Process where one party verbally asks the other party questions under oath or witnesses.
- Request for Productions of Documents or Inspection- Process where one party demands that the other party produce records/documents or allows inspection of property to prove or disprove facts alleged in the complaint.
- Interrogatories- Process where one party demands the other party answer written questions under oath.
- Request for Admissions- Process where one party admits or denies a written set of facts.
- Summary Judgment- Where one party moves the Court to end the case without trial because there is no issue or facts of the case that prove or disprove the material issues of the case.
- Trial- Where the case, evidence and witnesses are brought before a jury or judge to determine which party prevails and the amount, if any, of an award of damages to a particular party.
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