What are the differences between state and federal civil litigation?

The primary difference between state and federal civil litigation is the type of court system used to resolve the dispute. State civil litigation is heard by state trial courts, while federal civil litigation is heard by federal district courts. In the state court system, the proceedings are handled by a local court and the laws which will be applied are those of the state. It generally involves a jury trial, which is a trial by jury of 12 people chosen at random. State court systems also handle matters of probate, family law, and civil law. In the federal court system, the proceedings are handled by federal district courts, which are part of the United States federal court system. The laws which will be applied are those of the United States, as well as state laws if they are more favorable than federal laws. Often there is no jury trial in federal court and the judge makes the final decision. Federal court systems handle matters such as civil rights, bankruptcy, and maritime law. In general, state courts are less formal than federal courts, and the procedures are easier to understand. People also do not need a lawyer to represent them in state court. On the other hand, federal courts are more formal and people must have a lawyer to represent them in federal court. Ultimately, the decision of which court system to use is based on the type of dispute being litigated.

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What are the differences between state and federal civil litigation?

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