Court & Hearings

Note: This video and the others in the series are only available in English.

This video describes how to start a lawsuit. You will learn about the different parts of the complaint A written statement to start a lawsuit that says what the defendant did , tips on what to include in the complaint, and how to determine what people or businesses to include in the lawsuit.

Please check with your local court clerk before filing court papers as the relevant law and court rules may have changed. All court papers in Illinois are now required to be electronically filed with limited exceptions.

About the law basics video series

These short videos provide basic information on the court process for people who are not used to going to court. These videos are meant to educate the public and offer assistance to people going to court without a lawyer Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice . While going to court is never easy, these videos may help prepare people for some common situations. This series is meant to offer assistance to both plaintiffs and defendants that are going to court without lawyers. Additionally, the series is meant to cover general portions of the court process from beginning to end.

To view other videos in the Law Basics Series, click the titles below:

• Law basics: where to file a civil lawsuit
• Law basics: filing an appearance and answer
• Law basics: asking the court to do something
• Law basics: service of process
• Law basics: missing a court date
• Law basics: court orders