Litigation Lawyers in Aliso Viejo

In Aliso Viejo, California, "civil procedure" refers to the various processes and procedures that must be followed when conducting a civil lawsuit.

In Aliso Viejo, California, the civil procedure rules are meant to ensure that the civil litigation system is as efficient, accessible, fair, and low-cost as possible.

Civil litigation in Aliso Viejo, California is almost never a simple process. So, the rules controlling this process can't always be simple, either. Remember, civil procedure governs every single step of the civil litigation process, which can drag on for years.

Major Aliso Viejo, California Civil Procedure Issues

Complaint: The complaint is probably the most important document that the plaintiff will file in an Aliso Viejo, California lawsuit, and it is usually the first. The complaint contains all of the plaintiff's allegations against the defendant, as well as the relief that the plaintiff is asking the court to provide. Therefore, it can frame the tone, as well as the legal and factual issues, that will dominate the rest of the case.

Answer: The answer is usually the first document that the defendant files, and it is meant to serve as a direct response to the plaintiff's complaint. It usually denies all of the plaintiff's major allegations. It might also lay out affirmative defenses. An "affirmative defense" is a set of reasons that negate the defendant's liability even if their conduct would ordinarily be unlawful. For example, in a lawsuit for battery, a defendant might admit that he struck the plaintiff, but claim that he acted in self-defense. If that can be shown, it would negate, or mitigate, his liability to the plaintiff.

Discovery: Once the complaint and answer have been filed in an Aliso Viejo, California court, the next major civil procedure issue comes up. Discovery is the procedure in which both sides of the lawsuit are obligated to disclose obligated evidence to one another. The lawyers for each side can submit written questions, which the other party is required to answer under oath, unless the information is privileged. Each side can also request any relevant documents, physical evidence, and can conduct depositions of witnesses and parties to the lawsuit.

Trial: Although the trial is arguably the most dramatic element of civil procedure in Aliso Viejo, California, it is actually very rare for civil lawsuits to make it this far. Civil procedure in Aliso Viejo is designed to encourage early settlement of cases, or dismissal of cases that don't have any legal or factual merit. Nonetheless, in the rare cases when the case is not dismissed, and the parties can't reach a settlement, the matter will go to trial. A trial is the most visible aspect of civil litigation, and it is the stage when all of the legal and factual questions raised by both parties are resolved by a judge and jury, respectively.

How Can a Aliso Viejo, California Lawyer Help?

If you're suing anyone, or are being sued, in Aliso Viejo, California, dealing with issues of civil procedure is going to be a fact of life for quite some time.

The rules of civil procedure in Aliso Viejo, California are not always simple or intuitive. With that in mind, it's very important to have a reputable attorney on your side, to help you through the process.