How to File a Civil Lawsuit in Baltimore

Civil lawsuits in Baltimore involve plenty of paperwork.

Filing for a civil lawsuit involves plenty of paperwork and you need to fill out several forms before the case can begin. In Baltimore, go to the clerk of the court office, located at 101 West Lombard St. Drop off your forms and obtain information at this location. In any legal situation, seek legal advice before starting any of the steps.

Things You'll Need

• Civil cover sheet
• Complaint form
• Summons form

Instructions

1. Arrange a complaint. Get the complaint form from the court clerk. Fill in the case caption on the first page, which requires the name of the Baltimore court and the names and addresses of both yourself and the defendant. Leave the case number section blank, as it is for court use.

2. Detail the case information in the body of the complaint. List why you feel the Baltimore Court should be involved, what you seek and the facts of the claim. Sign and date the end of the document, printing your full name, address and number under the signature. Record the original and two copies with the court, and one for the defendant. Keep one for yourself. Make sure that each copy is identical.

3. File a summons for the defendant. Make one copy for the defendant and one for the courts. Get the summons forms from the court clerk. Complete the forms but leave the case number empty. Write in your name and address, and the name and address of your lawyer, if applicable. Give the court copy to the clerk. The defendant has 20 days to answer the summons. Submit a civil cover sheet to the clerk and to the defendant.

4. Pay the $150 filing fee, as of May 2011, to the Baltimore court clerk. A judge and case number will be assigned if all forms were filled out properly. Notify the defendant on details of the lawsuit, including all the monetary information. After the response from the defendant, the judge hands out a scheduling order. Scheduling orders can contain a deadline for completion of discovery. Discovery is the obtaining of evidence and information related to the case. Send any copies of discovery requests to the person from whom you are requesting information. Keep a copy for yourself. Make the discoveries as soon as possible.

5. Seek legal advice. Lawyers are rare in civil cases, but you can still talk to a lawyer for professional advice. Check the Resources link for information on lawyers in the Baltimore region.

References

• FindLaw; Instructions For Filing a Civil Action On Your Own Behalf...; Nov; 2001

Resources

• FindLaw: Find a Lawyer in Baltimore, Maryland