This paper provides an overview of the typical litigation file, and the assistant’s role in it, as it moves through the court process. Beginning at the start of an action, the author covers issues like preparing commencement pleadings, their time lines, ending litigation without a trial (default judgments, summary judgments, striking for delay), documents relating to the questioning process, the road to trial and how to prepare for it, and post-trial documents like the bill of costs. A civil claim process flowchart and document precedents are attached.

This paper was presented at the Civil Litigation Procedures for LSS Seminar in February 2014.