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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 New Jersey, initiating a lawsuit involves the plaintiff filing a complaint with the appropriate court. This complaint must adhere to the New Jersey Court Rules, which dictate the form and content of the filing. 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 issues at hand. The plaintiff is typically required to pay a filing fee, although fee waivers may be available for those who cannot afford it. Once the complaint is filed, the plaintiff must serve the defendant with a copy of the complaint and a summons, which informs the defendant of the lawsuit and how much time they have to respond. This process ensures that the defendant is given a fair opportunity to prepare a defense. Electronic filing (e-filing) is available in New Jersey through the Judiciary Electronic Filing and Imaging System (JEFIS), which allows for the submission of legal documents online.

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Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

New-Jersey State Code

Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

New-Jersey State Code

Articles