What is the process of civil litigation?

Civil Litigation is the process of taking legal action to resolve a dispute between two or more parties. In California, the process begins when a complaint is filed in court by one of the parties. This complaint outlines the relevant facts and legal claims of the case, and it must be properly served on the other party. The other party then has the opportunity to respond by filing an answer to the complaint. The answer must be filed within a certain time frame, and it must either deny or admit the allegations in the complaint and state any defenses that the party wishes to assert. After the answer is filed, the parties will then go through the discovery process. This includes the exchange of evidence, taking testimony and other means of gathering information that is relevant to the case. After discovery, the parties may then choose to file pre-trial motions. These motions are requests for the court to make decisions on certain issues of law or fact before the case goes to trial. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, then the case will go to trial. At trial, the parties will present their evidence and testimony to a judge and/or jury, who will make a ruling. Once the court makes a ruling, either party may appeal the ruling to a higher court if they believe that the lower court made a legal error. If an appeal is filed, the higher court will review the lower court’s ruling, and may affirm it or issue a different ruling. Civil litigation is a complex process, and it is important to consult a qualified attorney if you find yourself involved in one. An attorney will be able to help guide you through the process and ensure that your rights are protected.

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