The Civil Division hears cases where the plaintiff seeks either damages or action.
The Civil Division routinely hears the following types of cases:
- Arbitration (AR)
- Chancery (CH)
- Eminent Domain (ED)
- Eviction (EV)
- Foreclosure (FC)
- Government Corporation (GC)
- Guardianship (GR)
- Law (LA)
- Law Magistrate (LM)
- Probate (PR)
- Small Claims (SC)
- Tax (TX)
- Mental Health (MH)
Civil cases involve conflicts between people or businesses. The Civil Division hears cases where the plaintiff seeks either money (also known as damages) or action, like trying to make another party do or stop doing something.
Self Help Resources
- Self-Help Legal Center: Provides access to court forms and provides general information about court rules, terms and procedures to self-represented litigants.
- Court Forms: Made available as either statewide standardized forms or local forms held by the Circuit Clerk of each County
- Utilizing technology in the courtroom
- Joining the remote courtroom
- Guardianship: Handout for Guardians [pdf]
- Guardian ad litem list for the 17th Circuit: Probate
Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs in the 17th Circuit
Local Rules, General Orders and Standing Orders
The 17th Circuit publishes local rules that pertain to matters of judicial administration and specialized procedures. General Orders of the Circuit may also address the performance of judicial functions. 17th Circuit Local Rules and General Orders may be reviewed here. Each individual judge may also have a Standing Order to help litigants understand processes and procedures. Standing Orders are made available here, by clicking on each judge’s name.
