Legal Definitions - CIVIL PROCEDURE

Definition:Civil procedure is the set of laws and rules that govern how civil lawsuits are conducted. These laws and rules are usually created by the government or courts. For example, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure are a set of rules that govern how civil lawsuits are conducted in federal courts. Civil procedure also refers to the specific methods and practices used in civil litigation.

Examples:

• The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
• The California Code of Civil Procedure
• The New York Civil Practice Law and Rules

These examples illustrate how civil procedure is a set of laws and rules that govern how civil lawsuits are conducted. Each state and federal court system has its own set of rules that must be followed in civil litigation. These rules cover everything from how a lawsuit is filed to how evidence is presented in court.