A survey of 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 parties: expanding the scope of civil action
Class actions
Pretrial devices for obtaining information: depositions and discovery
Pretrial management and pretrial conference
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
Alternative dispute resolution.