Basic Civil Case Flow Chart

Summons & Within 30 days of

Serve Defendant
Complaint filed being served

TIP: If the complaint is verified

(signed under penalty of perjury)
then the Answer must specifically
admit or deny each allegation in
No Answer filed Answer filed the complaint.

TIP: Responses to Discovery are

Request for Entry of
Discovery due within 30 days if the request
Default/Default is received in person, or 35 days
Judgment
if received by mail.
(after 30 days)

Default Judgment Case Management TIP: Held 120 – 180 days after
TIP Conference
ADR - Parties may choose to the complaint filed. The parties,
resolve their dispute outside of lawyers, and judge meet and talk
Court through Alternative about how to handle the case.
Dispute Resolution (ADR), File Case Management
which can take less time and Statement (CM-110) 15 days
cost less than litigation. To before the CMC.
Trial
learn more, visit the Court’s
ADR webpage:
http://www.riverside.courts.ca.
gov/adr/adr.shtml

Judgment

This chart provides only a brief overview of the civil case process. It does not provide a comprehensive outline of all of the steps and procedures
that may be applicable in your specific case. For a detailed explanation about any of the topics listed you may talk to an attorney or visit the
Riverside County Law Library.