Wyoming rules of civil procedure lays down the rules that should be followed by Wyoming state courts. The rules govern civil actions. These rules are promulgated to secure just, speedy and inexpensive determination of every civil action. In Wyoming a civil action commences by 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. According to Rule 4, once a complaint is filed, the court clerk will issue the required summons to the defendant(s).
Pleadings acceptable in Wyoming courts are: complaint, answer to complaint, counter claim, reply to counterclaim, cross claim, answer 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 a minor or incompetent person, the person’s representative should file the complaint. If a minor or incompetent person does not have a representative, s/he may file the action through a next friend. The courts, if found necessary will appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the minor or incompetent person.
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.
At the trial stage, a party may demand for trial by jury. A judgment is passed after trial. The judgment may include a decree or an order