Prepare for the Florida Process Server Test with our comprehensive quiz. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations, to enhance your understanding and boost your confidence for exam day.

Practice this question and more.


When is a civil nature deemed to be commenced?

  1. When the complaint or petition is filed

  2. When the judge assigns a case number

  3. When the defendant is notified

  4. When the jury is selected

The correct answer is: When the complaint or petition is filed

In the context of civil litigation, a civil case is considered to have commenced at the moment the complaint or petition is filed with the appropriate court. This initial filing marks the official start of the legal process, as it initiates the case and establishes the jurisdiction of the court over the matter. The act of filing documents is crucial because it triggers various legal timelines, including the time frame for the defendant to respond and for other procedural steps to take place. The issuance of a case number by the judge, while important for cataloging and organizing cases, does not itself signify the commencement of the civil action. Similarly, the notification of the defendant or the selection of a jury occurs later in the process and is contingent upon the initial filing of the case. Thus, the filing of the complaint or petition is the definitive action that establishes the beginning of a civil lawsuit.