A survey of the civil action
Jurisdiction over the parties or their property
Providing notice and an opportunity to be heard
Jurisdiction over the subject matter of the action: the court's competency
Venue, transfer, and forum non conveniens
Ascertaining the applicable law
The development of modern procedure
Modern pleading
Joinder of claims and of parties: expanding the scope of the civil action
Class actions
Pretrial devices for obtaining information: depositions and discovery
Case management
Adjudication without trial or by special proceeding
Trial
Securing and enforcing judgments
Appellate review
The binding effect of prior decisions: res judicata and collateral estoppel.