Civil procedure includes the procedures and rules that govern civil (non-criminal) litigation in state and federal courts. Many states have rules of civil procedure written by the state supreme court, for example, and other states include their rules of procedure in state statutes enacted by the state legislature.
In Missouri, civil procedure is governed by a combination of state statutes and rules created by the Missouri Supreme Court. The Missouri Rules of Civil Procedure outline the procedures and rules that must be followed in civil litigation within the state courts. These rules cover various aspects of the legal process, including filing lawsuits, serving documents, conducting discovery, trial procedures, and appeals. The rules are designed to ensure fairness and efficiency in the legal process. Additionally, federal courts in Missouri follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure when handling civil cases at the federal level. These federal rules are applicable to all federal district courts across the United States and are established by the United States Supreme Court, subject to the approval of Congress.