Q:

What’s Involved in Filing a Civil Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

A:

You begin the civil case by filing a document with a Pennsylvania court that is called the com-plaint. The complaint sets out the facts of the case and the legal claims being made. Defendants then have a certain amount of time to file a document called the answer. In this, defendants set forth their version of the facts and any defenses that apply. As a part of the process of the case, either side can request information from the other side. In addition, either party can file motions asking the court to throw out certain claims or defenses — or to dismiss the case entirely.