Minnesota rules of civil procedure lays down the rules that should be followed by Minnesota state courts. The rules govern civil actions. The rules are promulgated for the smooth and efficient functioning of state courts. In Minnesota a civil action commences with the filing of a complaint. Party who commences the action is called the plaintiff, and the opposite party is called the defendant. A civil action can be classified into various stages that include: pleading stage, discovery stage, trial stage, and judgment stage.
Pleadings in Minnesota courts are complaint, answer to complaint, counter claim, reply to counter claim, cross claim, reply to cross claim, third party complaint and answer to third party complaint. A complaint should be filed by the real party in interest. If the real party in interest is an infant or incompetent person, the person’s representative should file the complaint.
Parties may obtain discovery by oral examination or written questions; written interrogatories; production of documents or things or permission to enter upon land or other property, for inspection and other purposes; physical and mental examinations; and requests for admission.
A judgment is passed after trial. The judgment may include a decree and means the final determination of the rights of the parties in an action or proceeding. Generally a judgment may not contain a recital of pleadings, the report of a referee, or the record of prior proceedings.
