What is civil procedure?

Civil procedure is the legal process that governs how civil cases are handled in courts in the state of Maryland. It includes all of the steps taken to bring a case to court and settle it in a fair and equitable manner. Civil procedure includes filing a complaint, service of summons, filing motions, discovery, and pre-trial conference, trial, judgment, and appeal. It is important for all parties of a civil case to understand civil procedure in order to ensure that their rights are protected and their case is handled in the most efficient manner. Civil procedure begins with the filing of a complaint, which is a document that outlines the nature of the dispute and the desired outcome. The complaint must be accompanied by a summons, which is a document that informs the defendant that they have been sued and are being asked to appear in court. Once the defendant is served with the summons and complaint, they must answer or respond to the allegations with an answer. After this, the parties can exchange discovery requests such as interrogatories, depositions, and requests for production of documents. This allows each party to obtain information from the other that is relevant to the lawsuit. Following discovery, a pre-trial conference takes place, where the parties can try and settle the case or go to trial. If the case goes to trial, each party presents their evidence and arguments, followed by closing statements by the attorneys. The court then makes the final decision, or judgment. If either party is unsatisfied with the court’s decision, they can appeal to a higher court. Civil procedure is an important part of any civil case and understanding it is key to a successful outcome.

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What is civil procedure?

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