ABA Family Legal Guide

How the Legal System Works

The Civil Trial: Step by Step

Commencing Legal Proceedings and Procedures Before Trial

What begins a lawsuit?

A lawsuit begins when the plaintiff files a document called a complaint with the court. The complaint recounts what happened to the plaintiff, what the plaintiff wants the court to do about it, and the legal reasons why the court ought to do what the plaintiff asks. The various wrongs the plaintiff claims to have suffered are listed in separate counts of the complaint. The complaint also sets forth the remedy the plaintiff is seeking from the court.