Which document sets out the plaintiff's initial allegations and causes of action filed at the start of a civil action?

• A. Order to Show Cause
• B. Answer
• C. Summons and Complaint
• D. Demurrer

Answer: (C)

The document that starts a civil action and carries the plaintiff’s facts and legal claims is the complaint, and when it is served together with a summons, that pair begins the case. The complaint lays out the plaintiff’s allegations and the causes of action being pursued. The summons simply provides notice and sets the timeline for the defendant to respond. So the combination of the summons and the complaint is the filing that initiates the action and presents the initial claims. The other options have different roles: an order to show cause is for urgent temporary relief, an answer is the defendant’s response after service, and a demurrer challenges the sufficiency of the complaint after it has been filed.