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 Illinois, initiating a lawsuit involves the plaintiff filing a petition or complaint with the appropriate court. This document must adhere to the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure and local court rules, which dictate the required format and content. The complaint should clearly state the legal claims against the defendant and the factual basis for those claims, providing the defendant with reasonable notice of the allegations. Filing can often be done electronically through the court's e-filing system. Additionally, the plaintiff is required to pay a filing fee, which varies depending on the type of case and the court. Once filed, the plaintiff must serve the complaint on the defendant, typically through a process server or sheriff, to officially notify them of the lawsuit and give them an opportunity to respond.