civil procedure
Court process framework
Civil procedure is the body of rules governing how civil lawsuits move through the court system—from filing a complaint through discovery, trial, and appeal.
It covers matters like jurisdiction, pleadings, motions, and evidence rules.
The case was dismissed on a civil procedure technicality.
Distinguished from criminal procedure, which governs prosecution of crimes.
Formal testimony under oath
- interrogatoriesFormal discovery questions
- subpoenaWrit requiring testimony
- e-discoveryLegal digital evidence retrieval
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
disclosure · spoliation · protective order · compel · sanctions · relevance · work product · proportionality
Civil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
- litigantParty in lawsuit
- class actionLawsuit filed for many
- joinderJoining of legal matters
Expression of discontent
- answerSolution to query
- summonsFormal court notification
- service of processFormal delivery of court documents
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
reply · affirmative defense · demurrer · joinder · default judgment · motion to dismiss · verification · caption
Request court end case
- summary judgmentCourt ruling without trial
- temporary restraining orderEmergency court-issued protection mandate
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- oral argumentSpoken case presentation
Legal decision-making body
- verdictOfficial court decision
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- witnessOne who attests
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
opening statement · closing argument · deliberation · evidence · objection · overruled · sustained · rebuttal
Content under discussion
Relating to appeals
- certiorariHigher court's review order
- interlocutoryProvisional mid-case ruling
- notice of appealFormal request for review
- appellantOne who appeals
appellee · brief · oral argument · remand · affirm · reverse · de novo · preservation
Compensation for injury
- injunctionCourt-ordered behavioral requirement
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- compensatoryMaking up for loss
- punitive damagesAward beyond actual losses
attorney fees · costs · enforcement · judgment · consent decree · settlement · stipulation
deposition
Formal testimony under oath
- interrogatoriesFormal discovery questions
- subpoenaWrit requiring testimony
- e-discoveryLegal digital evidence retrieval
privilege · disclosure · spoliation · protective order · compel · sanctions · relevance · work product · proportionality · custodian
plaintiff
Civil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
- litigantParty in lawsuit
- class actionLawsuit filed for many
joinder · intervenor · capacity · consolidation · opt-out
complaint
Expression of discontent
- answerSolution to query
- summonsFormal court notification
- service of processFormal delivery of court documents
counterclaim · reply · affirmative defense · demurrer · joinder · default judgment · motion to dismiss · verification · caption
motion to dismiss
Request court end case
- summary judgmentCourt ruling without trial
- temporary restraining orderEmergency court-issued protection mandate
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
jury
Legal decision-making body
cross-examination · opening statement · closing argument · deliberation · evidence · objection · overruled · sustained · rebuttal · bench trial
subject matter
Content under discussion
remand · transfer · abstention
appellate
Relating to appeals
- certiorariHigher court's review order
- interlocutoryProvisional mid-case ruling
- notice of appealFormal request for review
appellant · appellee · brief · oral argument · remand · affirm · reverse · de novo · preservation
damages
Compensation for injury
- injunctionCourt-ordered behavioral requirement
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- compensatoryMaking up for loss
punitive damages · attorney fees · costs · enforcement · judgment · consent decree · settlement · stipulation
- lawlaw, lawyer, lawyers, attorney, attorneys
- legal systemattorney, landmark cases, criminal cases, lawyers, legal precedents
- lawslaws, statute, ordinance, acts, statutes
- civil litigationlawsuits, plaintiffs, defendants, verdicts, judgments
- legal fieldscriminal law, administrative law, common law, family law, corporate law
- legal practicelawyer, attorney, litigation, legal research, counsel
civil procedurecriminal procedure
Law governing case prosecution
criminal law · criminal litigation · military justice · criminal justice · prosecution
civil, procedure, civic, civilian, civilized, uncivil, civility, civics, civilize