Causes of action in civil litigation are specific claims provided by law that serve as the basis for parties to a lawsuit to recover money or property from each other—or to provide other legal or equitable relief, such as a court order requiring or prohibiting some act (injunctive relief). Examples of causes of action include breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligence. Causes of action (also called claims) are usually located in a state or federal statute, or in court opinions (common law).

In Arizona, causes of action in civil litigation are the legal grounds on which a party files a lawsuit to seek relief, such as monetary compensation or injunctive relief. Common causes of action include breach of contract, where one party fails to fulfill their contractual obligations; fraud, involving intentional deception for personal gain; breach of fiduciary duty, where an individual fails to act in the best interest of another whom they owe a duty to; and negligence, where a party's failure to exercise reasonable care causes harm. These claims can be based on Arizona state statutes, federal laws, or developed through court decisions (common law). For instance, breach of contract is typically governed by the Arizona Revised Statutes and the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in Arizona for the sale of goods. Negligence claims are often based on common law principles, which are derived from judicial decisions. It is important for parties to consult with an attorney to understand the specific statutes or common law precedents that may apply to their case, as well as any relevant procedural rules for bringing a claim in Arizona courts.