Representing Yourself in Civil Court

Learn about the civil court process from complaints through appeals, and how to represent yourself without an attorney.

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
Appeals: Building Your Case & Persuading the Court
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Apr 1, 2020 - Dec 31, 2024
12:00 am - 11:59 pm
FREE
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.

Custody & Child Support: Where You Begin
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Apr 1, 2020 - Jan 1, 2025
12:14 am - 11:59 pm
FREE
Small Claims: Where You Begin
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Apr 1, 2020 - Jan 1, 2025
12:38 am - 11:59 pm
FREE

Even though the proceedings are simplified, going to small claims court can be intimidating. You have to know certain basic information to win your claim or defend against someone else's. This class provides information you need to go to small claims court with confidence. You will also learn about free resources available to help. Learning important legal fundamentals about small claims court can make your legal journey easier and more successful.

Probate & Inheritance: Where You Begin
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Oct 26, 2020 - Jan 1, 2026
08:00 am - 11:59 pm
FREE
How to Access Court Records
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Oct 26, 2020 - Dec 31, 2026
08:00 am - 11:59 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: Probate & Inheritance: Where You Begin
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Oct 25, 2021 - Oct 30, 2025
12:00 am - 11:59 pm
FREE
ON DEMAND: Appeals: How the Court Process Works
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Oct 25, 2021 - Oct 30, 2025
12:00 am - 11:59 pm
FREE
ON DEMAND: Civil Lawsuit Basics: When, Why & How to Settle a Civil Case
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Oct 25, 2021 - Oct 30, 2025
12:00 am - 11:59 pm
FREE
ON DEMAND: Divorce and Separation: Where You Begin
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Oct 25, 2021 - Oct 30, 2025
12:00 am - 11:59 pm
FREE
ON DEMAND: How Long After an Injury Can You Sue?
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Oct 25, 2021 - Oct 25, 2024
05:00 pm - 06:00 pm
FREE
ON DEMAND: Adult Name Change Workshop
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Oct 26, 2021 - Oct 26, 2024
11:30 am - 01:00 pm
FREE
ON DEMAND: Small Claims Court for COVID Back Rent
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Oct 28, 2021 - Oct 28, 2024
01:30 pm - 02:30 pm
FREE
ON DEMAND: Slander and Libel (Defamation): Filing a Lawsuit
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Apr 29, 2022 - Jan 31, 2025
10:00 am - 11:00 am
FREE
ON DEMAND: Small Claims: Where You Begin
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Oct 24, 2022 - Dec 31, 2024
12:00 am - 11:59 pm
FREE
ON DEMAND: Serving Process or Giving Notice Outside the U.S.
 Location: LA Law Library - Online Class (Live Zoom/On-Demand)
DetailsRegister
Oct 24, 2022 - Oct 29, 2025
12:00 am - 11:59 pm
FREE

Hours / Location

LA Law Library
301 W. First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-785-2529
Click Here for Directions

Hours:

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

Join Our Mailing List

To get more information about upcoming classes and events, please click here to join our mailing list.

Follow Us...Like Us...

Follow the LA Law Library on Instagram to see our latest posts.

Federal Depository

Federal Depository Logo

The LA Law Library is a selective government depository for both the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) and State of California materials.

Accommodation Requests

CLICK HERE to fill out the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form.

© LA Law Library 2022