How is a civil action commenced?

A civil action is initiated by filing a complaint with the court. This document outlines the plaintiff's claims against the defendant and serves as the formal request for the court's intervention to resolve the dispute. The filing of the complaint is a critical step because it establishes the basis for the lawsuit and is necessary for the court to have jurisdiction over the case.

Once the complaint is filed, the court will then issue a summons to notify the defendant of the action and their obligation to respond. This process underscores the importance of the complaint as the foundational document that sets the legal proceedings in motion. The other options, while related to the legal process, do not represent the correct way to commence a civil action.