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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 Maine, initiating a lawsuit involves the plaintiff filing a complaint with the appropriate court. The complaint must adhere to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, which dictate the required format and content. The plaintiff must also pay a filing fee, which varies depending on the court and the type of case. The complaint should 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. After filing, the plaintiff is responsible for ensuring that the defendant is properly served with a copy of the complaint and a summons, typically through a process server or sheriff. This service must be completed within the time frame specified by the rules of the court to move the case forward.

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Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

Maine State Code

Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

Maine State Code

Articles