Table of Contents
Case filing is the means whereby, with formality, one goes to court seeking redress. The litigant files a complaint or petition before the competent court, stating the grounds that constitute his or her cause of action together with a prayer for relief. Preparing and submitting legal documents are the final steps after determining the appropriate court based on the nature and location of the dispute. Filing a case is an integral part of accessing justice, which provides a legal platform for the resolution of conflict, enforcement of rights, and addressing grievances. Once a case is filed, it progresses through various legal stages, including hearings, evidence presentation, and finally a decision or judgment.
Steps of filing a case in the court: -
1) Determining Jurisdiction
Determining jurisdiction refers to the court's authority that shall hear and try a particular case. This jurisdiction is determined through various considerations such as the nature of the case, be it civil, criminal, family, among others; the geographical locations of the parties; and, finally, the monetary value of the claim. The place of jurisdiction is provided under the Muluki Civil Procedure Code of Nepal, and civil cases can generally be filed in the court where the defendant resides or where the dispute took place.
2) Drafting and submission of complaints.
Filing the complaint, which is the plaint or petition, is the first formal step to begin the litigation process before the court. The complaint should contain a clear statement of the case, a plea in the court of law, with the legal ground on which the claim is made and the relief or remedy sought by the plaintiff. It should contain all the relevant documents, evidence, and details of the witness to support the claim. The complaint needs to be drafted in a very precise and legally proper format according to the court's procedural requirements. After drafting, it is filed with the court, where the requisite court fees are paid to start the litigation process. Locus standi (Locus standi is a Latin term meaning "the right to stand" or "the right to be heard." In legal terms, it refers to a party's right or capacity to bring a lawsuit in a court of law.), time limitation should be indicated while drafting a plaint.
3) Payment of Court fees
Payment of court fees is an inevitable part of filing a case in the court. The fee payable depends upon the nature of the case, its valuation, and the relevant laws. The Muluki Civil Procedure Code, Nepal, provides for court fees on different civil cases. The fee is paid on filing the case and is actually required for registering the lawsuit. In the event of nonpayment of the requisite fee, the case will either be rejected or not proceeded with.
4) Case Registration
In case registration, the following are the imperative steps: Firstly, the correctness and authenticity of the documents presented by the filing party are verified by the court officer in light of their legality. Then, the lagat is checked that it is paid according to the scheduled amount as per the type of case and jurisdiction. Further, a deposit is to be made of the charge required, which is essentially a prerequisite for continuing the process of registration. Once all this is done, the case gets registered on the record of the court, allotting a number to it uniquely, and enters the judicial process for further proceedings. Issuance of summons to the defendant.
5) Defendant’s written response
A written response is the defendant's formal document to the court in which he or she addresses the claims from the plaintiff's complaint or petition. It is usually filed after service of summons. In a responsive pleading, a defendant is entitled to answer the allegations by admitting, denying, or challenging them. Hence, an opportunity is provided to present one's view of the facts, along with any legal defenses or counterclaims. The written response needs to be filed within a specified timeframe; otherwise, the court may continue with the case without the defendant. This response is vital in ensuring equity and a fair hearing.
6) Preliminary hearing
The pre-trial is an initial court proceeding before the judge whereby one's case is screened to see if it should go further to trial. The court considers questions of law, and checks whether the case fulfills three conditions i.e. locus standi, jurisdiction, and time limitation. A preliminary hearing sorts out the case as to whether it has enough merit and that everything that was procedurally required is in place. It will be referred for trial only in cases that prove valid; if the case lacks locus standi, jurisdiction, and time limitation, it may get dismissed by a judge. In this way, this stage relieves the Courts and helps save judicial time.
7) Evidence collection and examination
Evidence collection and examination are a very important stage in the legal process where both parties collect and present materials relevant to their claims or defenses. This may include physical evidence, documents, witness testimony, and expert opinions. Both parties are expected to collect evidence before trial, authenticating that it will be admissible in court. Evidence is provided at the trial with the cross-questioning of witnesses to establish the credibility and relevancy of that information. It is the evidence that the judge weighs in terms of weight and impact upon the case to assure fairness and equity.
8) Court decision
A court's decision is the final judgment by the judge after assessing the evidence presented, legal arguments, and applicable laws. It decrees the case outcome where the plaintiff or defendant will be found liable or innocent. The decision may include fines, damages, or other legal remedies, which would depend upon the nature of the case. In civil cases, the court may award damages or enforce agreements. Once issued, the decision is legally binding, though parties may appeal to a higher court if they believe errors were made in the judgment.
Filing a case in court is a formal and systemic process of litigation to achieve fair justice and equality for both parties in resolving their disputes. It consists of jurisdiction, which involves drafting complaints, including all the necessary payments, followed by its registration and issuance of summons. After the defendant's response and preliminary hearings, the collection of evidence and examination are done, the case is fairly decided. Lastly, the court gives judgment based on legal arguments and presented evidence. Every step is crucial to due process and the enforcement of the rule of law. A well-organized legal system is one that presents order and serves as an avenue for reliable justice.