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Civil Actions Branch

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The Civil Actions Branch has jurisdiction over civil actions for more than $5,000 in damages brought in the District of Columbia, except where the federal court has exclusive jurisdiction. The Civil Actions Branch is commonly referred to as the Civil Clerk's Office.

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Filing Information

The filing party must provide the clerk with:

• An original complaint that includes the name and address of the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s);
• One copy of the original complaint for each defendant listed on the complaint; and
• A summons for each named defendant. Please note that all filing fees must be paid by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Money orders or cashier's checks should be made payable to: "Clerk, D.C. Superior Court." (Only members of the D.C. Bar may pay filing fees by personal check. Bar members should include the Bar number on the complaint. The Bar number and case number should appear on subsequent pleadings.)

The complaint and subsequent papers must be on white 8-1/2 x 11 paper. "D.C. Superior Court" must be indicated across the top of the first page. Pro se parties (parties representing themselves in court proceedings without the assistance of an attorney) must sign the complaint and include their address and telephone number. A handwritten signature must be provided. A name affixed by a rubber stamp is not acceptable as a signature. Bar members should include the Bar number on the complaint. The Bar number and case number should appear on subsequent pleadings.

Discovery pleadings are not filed with the court unless the court so orders.

eFiling

To find out about filing on-line, click here.

Filing Fees

*Requests for issuance of additional summonses are $10.00 each. Additional summonses are needed when requests are made for service upon multiple defendants and upon a defendant/defendants at more than one address and when bringing suit against the District of Columbia or the Mayor.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What types of cases are filed in the Civil Clerks Office and what are the filing fees?
Civil law suits where the monetary amount exceeds $5,000 and cases where parties are requesting equitable relief (e.g. temporary restraining order or injunctive relief) are filed in the Civil Clerk's Office, Room JM-170 in the Moultrie Courthouse. The filing fee for a new complaint is $120.

Fees are payable by cash, certified check, or money order, made payable to: Clerk, D.C. Superior Court. These fees are subject to change. (Only D.C. Bar members may pay filing fees by personal check).

2. How is service made upon the defendant, i.e. how do we notify the defendant that he or she is being sued?
The plaintiff is responsible for service of process upon the defendant, by the following methods:

• Special process server-someone over eighteen years of age and not involved in the case.
• Certified or registered mail-with a return receipt from the U.S. Postal Service.
• First-class mail-regular mail with an acknowledgment form enclosed for the defendant to sign and return to the court.

3. What is the current interest rate on judgments?
The interest rate on judgments is four percent (4%) for the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2009 (D.C. Code §28-3302(c)). Pursuant to D.C. Code §28-3302(b), this rate does not apply to judgments against the District of Columbia or its employees acting within the scope of their employment. In such situations the judgment interest rate remains 4%. The new interest rate is for post judgments only. The pre-judgment interest rate remains 6% in the absence of an expressed contract specifying otherwise, pursuant to D.C. Code §28-3302 (a).

4. How many copies of a summons do I need?
An original summons (front & back page), and two copies are needed for each defendant who is to be served. The original and the two copies are to be presented at the time the complaint is filed or when an alias summons is being issued.

General Order and Judges' Supplements

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