In Connecticut a civil action commences with the filing of a complaint. Party who commences the civil action is called the plaintiff, and the opposite party is called the defendant. Once a civil action is filed, the court clerk will issue the required summons to the defendant(s). A civil action can be classified into various stages that include: pleading stage, discovery stage, trial stage, and judgment stage.
A civil action should be filed by the real party in interest. Parties may obtain discovery by oral examination or written questions; written interrogatories; requests for admission; request for production of documents or other information; request for permission to enter into land or other property for inspection or other purpose; and/or physical and mental examinations. A judgment is passed after trial.