Arizona Courts & Civil Procedure

About This Guide

This guide is written primarily as an aid to the pro se patron who is encountering the complexity of the courts system for the first time, or for those who may be represented by an attorney but simply want to know more about the structure and process of civil litigation in Arizona courts.

There are both state and federal level courts operating within Arizona.

• Generally, cases dealing with interpretations or violations of state and local laws, or matters between citizens or institutions of Arizona, are heard in state courts.
• Federal courts hear issues which involve federal laws and issues (e.g. immigration, civil rights, issues involving non-U.S. citizens or foreign governments). 

What Is Civil Procedure?

Civil procedure is the set of rules and procedures which governs the actions of all parties involved in a civil court action. It is not the law, but the means by which substantive legal issues are decided in the courts.

In Arizona, these rules are promulgated by the Arizona Supreme Court. For more in-depth information on these rules and for the text of the current rules, see Civil Trial Practice and Arizona Court Rules respectively (listed under the RESOURCES tab).