The Risks - Back and Forth. The draw system is a method of paying a contractor for materials and labor in a fashion that limits risks to both the contractor and the customer. The draw system works by trading limited risk back and forth between the two parties.
The extent to which these and other steps are needed is determined by the issues of the case. Discovery: Discovery is usually the longest part of the case. It begins soon after a lawsuit is filed and often does not stop until shortly before trial. During discovery, the parties ask each other and third parties for information about the facts and issues of the case.
FindLaw's section on Civil Court Cases covers the stages of a civil case, provides a practical guide to lawsuits, and offers other information and resources related to civil court cases. Overview of the Stages of a Civil Case. There are multiple stages to the typical civil case. The first step is to file the initial court papers, which are called pleadings.. The first document that usually filed to start a civil case is the Complaint, which is also sometimes referred to as the Petition.