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 Massachusetts, initiating a lawsuit involves filing a complaint with the appropriate court. The complaint must adhere to the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure, which dictate the required format and content. The plaintiff must provide sufficient legal and factual basis for the claims to ensure the defendant is given reasonable notice of the case against them. This includes stating the grounds for the court's jurisdiction, the plaintiff's claims, and the demand for relief. Filing electronically is often available and may be required in certain courts. Additionally, the plaintiff is responsible for paying a filing fee, which varies depending on the court and the type of case. After filing, the plaintiff must serve the complaint and a summons on the defendant, typically through a process server or sheriff, to officially notify them of the lawsuit and their obligation to respond.