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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 Tennessee, initiating a lawsuit involves the plaintiff filing a petition or complaint with the appropriate court. This document must adhere to the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure, which dictate the required format and content. The complaint should provide the defendant with reasonable notice of the legal claims and the factual basis for those claims. This ensures that the defendant is informed of the nature of the lawsuit and the specific allegations they are facing. Additionally, the plaintiff is typically required to pay a filing fee at the time of submission, which varies depending on the court and the type of case. Electronic filing (e-filing) is available in many Tennessee courts, allowing for the submission of legal documents online. Once the complaint is filed and the fee is paid, the legal process is formally initiated, and the defendant must be served with a copy of the complaint and a summons to appear in court.

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Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

Tennessee State Code

Tennessee State Code

Civil litigation

filing a lawsuit

Articles