Which rule concerns commencing an action?

• A. Rule 2
• B. Rule 10
• C. Rule 7
• D. Rule 3

Answer: (D)

Starting an action is triggered by filing a complaint with the court. In civil procedure, that filing marks the official commencement of the lawsuit; it sets the case in motion and begins the court’s involvement. Service of process comes after filing to give the defendant proper notice and to establish jurisdiction, but it does not start the action itself. So the rule that covers commencement is the one stating that a civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court. Other rules address steps that follow commencement—like serving defendants, choosing a venue, or outlining responses—which are about after the action has begun, not about how it begins.