Civil Procedure in a Nutshell

1. The Event -- giving rise to a Cause of Action
   
   
2. Settlement Negotiations -- including alternatives to litigation:
   • Arbitration
   • Mediation
   
   
3. Selection of Proper Court -- key matters:
   • Jurisdiction
     • subject matter jurisdiction
     • personal jurisdiction
   • Venue
   
   
4. Commencement of the Action
   • Complaint
   • Summons
   • Service of Process
   
   
5. Defendant's Responses
   • Motions to Dismiss
     • FRCP 12(b)(6)
   • Answer
     • demurrer
     • denial
     • affirmative defenses
   • Counterclaims
   
   
6. Discovery -- gathering evidence
   • depositions
   • interrogatories
   • subpoena duces tecum (documents)
   • examinations
   • requests for admissions
   • requests for documents, objects
   
   
7. Summary Judgment -- partial or full
   • Issue: Is there a genuine issue of material fact in dispute?
   • Does discovery show a concrete case or controversy?
   
   
   
8. Pretrial Conference ---- Memoranda by attorneys ---- Order by Judge
   • define and list issues
   • state facts
   • list witnessess
   • list documents and evidence
   
   
9. Trial
   • Selecting the Jury
     • Peremtory challenges / challenges for cause
     • finders of fact (unless insufficient information to justify a jury verdict)
   • Opening Statements
   • Presentation of Evidence
     • Plaintiff's Case in Chief
       • testimony evidence
       • real/circumstantial evidence
       • must make a prima facie case
     • Defendant's Case in Chief
       • directed verdict (argument that there is not sufficient evidence to permit a rational verdict), etc.
     • Rebuttal by Plaintiff (perhaps)
     • Closing Arguments
   • Giving the Case to the Jury
     • Instructions -- legal meanings of findings, law
     • Jury Verdict -- general or specific
   • Post-Verdict Procedure
     • Entry of Judgment
     • Post-Verdict Motions
       • JNOV (only if DV was moved)
       • new trial
   
   
10. The Appeal
    • Court of Appeals -- questions of law -- did the trial court err? Not a factual inquiry ...
    • Supreme Court -- writ of certiorari required ...