What does Rule 3 provide?

• A. An action is commenced by service of process
• B. An action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court
• C. An action is commenced by a summons
• D. An action is commenced by a judicial order

Answer: (B)

Rule 3 provides that a civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court. Filing starts the action and gives the court jurisdiction over the case; service of process is what Notification does to bring the defendant into the case, but it does not begin the action itself. A summons is a notice issued to the defendant after filing to inform them of the lawsuit, not the event that starts it. A judicial order does not initiate the action either. So the best answer is that the action begins when the complaint is filed with the court.