Civil Lawsuit Basics

This series empowers individuals to handle civil court cases effectively, from preparing and responding to complaints to presenting evidence at trial or enforcing a judgment. The classes will give those who are not represented by a lawyer some of the basic tools needed to exercise their rights.

All classes approved for Court Interpreter Minimum Continuing Education (CIMCE) credit.

Event Registration

Below is a list of all events that are currently open for registration. Click on the event name to proceed.
Search:
Event Date Price
Civil Lawsuit Basics: How to Correct Mistakes & Defaults
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Apr 1, 2020 - Dec 31, 2025
12:02 am - 11:59 pm
FREE

Mistakes happen in the course of a civil lawsuit. For example, a defendant may fail to respond to a lawsuit within the required time, resulting in a "default," which terminates the rights of the defendant to dispute the allegations. Or, a plaintiff may fail to respond to a defense motion, resulting in dismissal of the lawsuit. In this class, learn how to get back on track by asking a judge to "set aside" (or undo) defaults and other mistakes in California state courts.

Civil Lawsuit Basics: How to File and Respond to Complaints
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Apr 1, 2020 - Dec 31, 2025
12:04 am - 11:59 pm
FREE

A civil lawsuit starts with the filing and service of a written complaint; the defendant must then file an answer or other response. These are called pleadings, and they set the stage for all that comes afterward in the lawsuit. In this class, learn how to prepare, file, serve and respond to civil case pleadings in California state court.

Civil Lawsuit Basics: How to Make and Oppose Motions
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Apr 1, 2020 - Jan 1, 2025
12:06 am - 11:59 pm
FREE

 A motion is how you request that a court order someone to do something in your lawsuit. Motions are made to obtain many types of orders: to postpone a trial to a later date, to modify an order for child support, to get a judgment without going to trial, to get a rehearing or a new trial, or for sanctions when a party breaks the rules (just to name a few). A motion for any of these orders can have a huge impact on your case. This class is intended to give an overview of how motions work in California state court and the rules of procedure that apply to making, filing, serving and opposing motions.

Civil Lawsuit Basics: When, Why & How to Settle a Case
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Apr 1, 2020 - Dec 31, 2026
12:10 am - 11:59 pm
FREE

More than 90% of civil cases settle or are dismissed prior to trial, yet most litigants spend very little time thinking about whether or how to settle their cases. Learn when settlement makes sense, what resources and tools are available to you and how to negotiate effectively to get the best possible result without the uncertainty, time, and expense of taking a case all the way to trial.

Civil Lawsuit Basics: Subpoenas and RFPs: Getting Documents to Prove Your Case
 Location: LA Law Library - Main Downtown Library
DetailsFull
Apr 30, 2020 - Apr 30, 2025
12:15 pm - 01:45 pm
FREE
ON DEMAND: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Motions for Summary Judgment
 Location: LA Law Library - Main Downtown Library
DetailsRegister
Aug 5, 2021 - Dec 31, 2027
12:00 am - 11:59 pm
FREE
ON DEMAND: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Appearing at Trial: Rules and Strategies
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Aug 11, 2022 - Dec 31, 2025
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm
FREE
LIVE ZOOM: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Subpoenas and RFPs: Getting Documents to Prove Your Case
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Aug 31, 2023 - Aug 31, 2027
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm
FREE
ON DEMAND: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Interrogatories and RFAs: Getting Another Party to Answer Questions in Writing
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Feb 29, 2024 - Feb 29, 2028
12:00 am - 11:59 pm
FREE
LIVE ZOOM: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Appearing at Trial: Rules and Strategies
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Mar 28, 2024
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm
FREE
IN PERSON: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Enforcing Judgments
 Location: LA Law Library - Main Downtown Library
DetailsRegister
Apr 11, 2024
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm
FREE
IN PERSON: Civil Lawsuit Basics: How to File and Respond to a Complaint
 Location: LA Law Library - Main Downtown Library
DetailsRegister
Apr 25, 2024
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm
FREE
LIVE ZOOM: Civil Lawsuit Basics: How to Correct Mistakes and Defaults
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
May 9, 2024
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm
FREE
LIVE ZOOM: Civil Lawsuit Basics: How How to Make and Oppose Motions
 Location: LA Law Library - Main Downtown Library
DetailsRegister
May 23, 2024
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm
FREE
LIVE ZOOM: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Subpoenas and RFPs: Getting Documents to Prove Your Case
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Jun 6, 2024
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm
FREE
IN PERSON: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Interrogatories and RFAs: Getting Another Party to Answer Questions in Writing
 Location: LA Law Library - Main Downtown Library
DetailsRegister
Jun 20, 2024
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm
FREE
LIVE ZOOM: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Appearing at Trial: Rules and Strategies
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Aug 1, 2024
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm
FREE
LIVE ZOOM: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Motions for Summary Judgment
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Aug 1, 2024
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm
FREE
LIVE ZOOM: Civil Lawsuit Basics: Enforcing Judgments
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Aug 15, 2024
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm
FREE
LIVE ZOOM: Civil Lawsuit Basics: How to File and Respond to a Complaint
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Aug 29, 2024
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm
FREE

Hours / Location

LA Law Library
301 W. First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-785-2529
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Hours:

Monday - Friday:
8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday:
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

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