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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 Alabama, initiating a lawsuit involves the plaintiff filing a complaint with the appropriate court. This complaint must adhere to the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, which dictate the form and content required. The plaintiff must also pay a filing fee, which varies depending on the court and the type of case. The complaint must provide the defendant with sufficient notice of the claims and the factual basis for those claims, allowing the defendant to understand the nature of the lawsuit and to prepare a defense. The complaint is typically filed electronically through the Alabama Judicial System's electronic filing system, known as Alacourt. Once filed, the plaintiff is responsible for ensuring that the defendant is served with a copy of the complaint and a summons, which informs the defendant of the need to respond to the lawsuit within a specified time frame.

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Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

Alabama State Code

Alabama State Code

Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

Articles