Civil Cover Sheet — Alabama Circuit Court (ARCiv-93)

ALABAMA CIVIL COVER SHEET

Circuit Court — Civil Cases (Not Domestic Relations)

Form ARCiv-93 (Rev. 09/25)

Court System: Alabama Unified Judicial System
Official Form: ARCiv-93 — Cover Sheet, Circuit Court, Civil Cases (Not for Domestic Relations)
E-Filing System: AlaFile (https://efile.alacourt.gov)

Important: This template is a comprehensive intake worksheet mirroring the official Alabama Form ARCiv-93. The completed information must be transferred to the official ARCiv-93 form or entered directly into AlaFile for electronic filing. Domestic relations cases use a separate cover sheet. District Court civil filings use the appropriate district court form.

SECTION 1: COURT IDENTIFICATION AND CAPTION

1.1 Court and County

Alabama has 41 judicial circuits across 67 counties. Each county has a Circuit Court with general civil jurisdiction.

Circuit Number: [____]
County: [________________________________]

1.2 Case Caption

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [________________________________] COUNTY, ALABAMA

CIVIL ACTION NO.: [________________]
(Assigned by Clerk)

[________________________________],
[________________________________],
                    Plaintiff(s),

v.

[________________________________],
[________________________________],
                    Defendant(s).

SECTION 2: PARTY INFORMATION

2.1 Plaintiff(s)

Plaintiff 1:

Plaintiff 2 (if applicable):

☐ Additional plaintiffs — See attached continuation sheet
Number of additional plaintiffs: [____]

Fee Note: An additional $50.00 is charged for each additional plaintiff beyond the first. See Ala. Code Section 12-19-71.

2.2 Defendant(s)

Defendant 1:

Defendant 2 (if applicable):

☐ Additional defendants — See attached continuation sheet

SECTION 3: ATTORNEY OR SELF-REPRESENTED PARTY

3.1 Attorney Information

3.2 Self-Represented (Pro Se) Party

☐ This party is self-represented (pro se)

AlaFile Note: Pro se litigants may register for AlaFile but are not required to e-file. Paper filing at the clerk's office remains available.

SECTION 4: NATURE OF SUIT (ARCiv-93 CODES)

Instructions: Select ONE nature-of-suit code from the official ARCiv-93 list that best describes this action. Enter the four-letter code and its description.

4.1 Torts / Personal Injury

☐ TOMV — Negligence: Motor Vehicle
☐ TONG — Negligence: General (premises liability, slip and fall, etc.)
☐ TOWA — Wantonness
☐ TOPL — Products Liability / AEMLD (Alabama Extended Manufacturer's Liability Doctrine)
☐ TOMM — Malpractice: Medical
☐ TOLM — Malpractice: Legal
☐ TOPM — Malpractice: Other Professional
☐ TOAS — Assault and Battery
☐ TODF — Defamation (Libel / Slander)
☐ TOFD — Fraud / Deceit / Misrepresentation
☐ TOOT — Other Tort (specify): [________________________________]

4.2 Wrongful Death

☐ WDEA — Wrongful Death

4.3 Contract / Commercial

☐ CONT — Contract (General)
☐ CODB — Debt / Collection
☐ COUC — UCC (Uniform Commercial Code)
☐ COIN — Insurance Dispute
☐ COEM — Employment Contract / Wrongful Termination
☐ COOT — Other Contract: [________________________________]

4.4 Real Property

☐ RPMF — Mortgage Foreclosure
☐ RPQT — Quiet Title
☐ RPEJ — Ejectment
☐ RPLT — Landlord / Tenant
☐ RPOT — Other Real Property: [________________________________]

4.5 Condemnation / Eminent Domain

☐ COND — Condemnation / Right-of-Way

4.6 Equity / Declaratory / Injunction

☐ EQND — Equity: Non-Damages / Declaratory Judgment / Injunction
☐ EQSP — Specific Performance
☐ EQOT — Other Equity: [________________________________]

4.7 Civil Rights / Constitutional

☐ CVRT — Civil Rights Action
☐ CVCO — Constitutional Challenge

4.8 Administrative / Appeals

☐ APAR — Administrative Appeal
☐ APDC — Appeal from District Court

4.9 Other Civil

☐ MISC — Miscellaneous Civil (specify): [________________________________]

Selected Code: [________] Description: [________________________________]

SECTION 5: ORIGIN OF CASE (ARCiv-93)

Select one:

☐ Initial filing — Original action filed in this court
☐ Appeal from District Court — Case appealed from Alabama District Court
☐ Remanded — Case remanded from a higher court
☐ Transferred from another Circuit Court — Transfer from: [________________________________]
☐ Reinstated / Reopened — Previously dismissed case number: [________________________________]

SECTION 6: RELIEF REQUESTED

6.1 Monetary Relief

☐ Monetary award requested

Amount of damages claimed (exclusive of interest, fees, and costs):

☐ Does not exceed $50,000
☐ Exceeds $50,000 but does not exceed $100,000
☐ Exceeds $100,000 but does not exceed $250,000
☐ Exceeds $250,000 but does not exceed $500,000
☐ Exceeds $500,000 but does not exceed $1,000,000
☐ Exceeds $1,000,000
☐ Amount unspecified (ad damnum not stated per Ala. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(1))

Specific amount (if stated): $ [________________________________]

☐ No monetary award requested

Fee Distinction: Under Ala. Code Section 12-19-71, the filing fee is $197 if the matter in controversy does not exceed $50,000, and $297 if it exceeds $50,000 or is unspecified.

6.2 Non-Monetary / Equitable Relief

☐ Injunctive relief (temporary restraining order / preliminary or permanent injunction)
☐ Declaratory judgment
☐ Specific performance
☐ Quiet title
☐ Ejectment / possession of property
☐ Other equitable relief: [________________________________]

6.3 Punitive Damages

☐ Punitive damages claimed
☐ No punitive damages claimed

Alabama Cap: Ala. Code Section 6-11-21 generally caps punitive damages in non-physical-injury cases at three times compensatory damages or $500,000 (whichever is greater), with different caps for physical-injury, small-business, and other categories.

SECTION 7: JURY DEMAND

Alabama Rule of Civil Procedure 38 governs the right to jury trial.

☐ Jury trial demanded

• Jury demand must be made no later than 30 days after service of the last pleading directed to the issue triable by jury (Ala. R. Civ. P. 38(b))
• No separate jury demand fee in Alabama Circuit Court

☐ Non-jury (bench trial)

Note: Failure to make a timely demand constitutes waiver of the right to a jury trial under Rule 38(d).

SECTION 8: MEDIATION REQUEST

Alabama encourages mediation and alternative dispute resolution in civil cases.

☐ Yes — Plaintiff requests mediation
☐ No — Mediation not requested at this time
☐ Undecided — Will address mediation at case management conference

Note: Some circuits have mandatory mediation programs or standing orders requiring mediation before trial. Check local rules for your circuit.

SECTION 9: EXPEDITED CIVIL ACTIONS (EPCA)

The Alabama Supreme Court adopted Expedited Civil Action (EPCA) rules for cases seeking damages within specified thresholds.

☐ Plaintiff elects to proceed under the Alabama Expedited Civil Action Rules

EPCA Eligibility Requirements:

• Monetary damages sought do not exceed $50,000 (exclusive of interest and costs)
• Not a class action
• Not a case involving complex litigation
• Limited discovery schedule applies
• Trial within 180 days of the case action plan

☐ Not applicable / Not electing EPCA

Note: EPCA is not available in all circuits or for all case types. Verify availability with the circuit clerk or presiding judge.

SECTION 10: RELATED CASES

10.1 Related Case Disclosure

Are there any related cases pending or previously filed in any Alabama court?

☐ No related cases
☐ Yes — Provide details below:

10.2 Prior Appeals or Arbitrations

☐ None
☐ Prior arbitration — Reference No.: [________________________________]
☐ Prior appeal — Case No.: [________________________________]
☐ Case previously filed and dismissed — Case No.: [________________________________]

SECTION 11: FILING FEES

11.1 Current Filing Fee Schedule (Ala. Code Section 12-19-71)

Circuit Court Civil Filing Fees:

District Court Civil Filing Fees (for reference):

Note: Fees are subject to change. Additional local fees may apply in certain counties. Verify current fees with the circuit clerk before filing.

11.2 Payment Information

Filing fee amount enclosed/paid: $ [________________________________]
Payment method: ☐ AlaFile (credit/debit card) ☐ Check ☐ Money Order ☐ Cash (in person only)
☐ Fee waiver / in forma pauperis petition attached

SECTION 12: SERVICE OF PROCESS

12.1 Service Methods (Ala. R. Civ. P. Rule 4)

Defendant 1: [________________________________]
☐ Personal service by the sheriff or constable
☐ Personal service by a private process server (Rule 4(c))
☐ Certified mail, return receipt requested (Rule 4(i)(2)(B))
☐ Service by publication (when other methods unavailable — requires court order)
☐ Waiver of service (Rule 4.1)

Defendant 2: [________________________________]
☐ Personal service by the sheriff or constable
☐ Personal service by a private process server
☐ Certified mail, return receipt requested
☐ Service by publication
☐ Waiver of service

12.2 Service Addresses

12.3 Registered Agent Service (Corporate Defendants)

Note: For corporations, check the Alabama Secretary of State website (https://www.sos.alabama.gov) for current registered agent information.

SECTION 13: E-FILING — ALAFILE

13.1 AlaFile System Information

AlaFile is the mandatory electronic filing system for all Alabama state courts.

• E-Filing Portal: https://efile.alacourt.gov
• Registration: Free registration required; subject to standard filing fees
• Mandatory for Attorneys: Yes — All attorneys must e-file through AlaFile
• Pro Se Litigants: May file on paper at the clerk's office or register for AlaFile
• Accepted Formats: PDF (required), with Word conversion to PDF
• Service: AlaFile provides electronic service to registered users
• Payment: Credit/debit card through the AlaFile portal; service fees apply

13.2 AlaFile Filing Steps

1. Log in to AlaFile at https://efile.alacourt.gov
2. Select "New Case" or "Existing Case"
3. Select Court (Circuit) and County
4. Complete the electronic cover sheet (ARCiv-93 fields)
5. Upload the complaint and all supporting documents as PDF
6. Enter payment information for filing fees
7. Submit filing — confirmation email will be sent
8. Summons will be issued electronically by the clerk

SECTION 14: CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I certify that the information provided on this cover sheet is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I certify that this case is properly venued in this county and circuit under Alabama law. I understand that filing a false statement may subject me to sanctions under Rule 11, Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.

Date: [__/__/____]

_________________________________________________
Signature

_________________________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Alabama State Bar No.: [________________________________]
Representing: ☐ Plaintiff(s)  ☐ Defendant(s)  ☐ Self (Pro Se)

Firm: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
         [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

SECTION 15: FILING CHECKLIST

Before filing, confirm the following documents are prepared:

☐ Complaint (original, signed)
☐ Cover Sheet — ARCiv-93 (completed)
☐ Summons (Form ARCiv-1 or court-specific summons)
☐ Filing fee payment or in forma pauperis petition
☐ Corporate disclosure statement (if applicable)
☐ Copies for service on each defendant
☐ Lis pendens (if real property action — Ala. Code Section 35-4-131)
☐ EPCA election form (if applicable)
☐ Mediation request (if applicable)
☐ Emergency motion / TRO (if expedited relief sought)
☐ Certificate of interested persons (if required by local rule)

SECTION 16: PRACTITIONER NOTES

16.1 Venue Rules

Under Ala. Code Section 6-3-2 et seq., venue is proper in:

• The county where the defendant resides (individual)
• The county where the cause of action arose
• The county where the registered agent or principal office is located (corporate defendant)
• Multiple defendants: Any county where venue is proper as to any one defendant

16.2 Statute of Limitations Reminders

16.3 Alabama-Specific Procedural Notes

1. Medical Malpractice Pre-Suit Requirements: Under Ala. Code Section 6-5-551, medical liability actions must include an expert affidavit of merit or detailed statement of why one is not needed.

2. Ad Damnum Clause: Alabama Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a)(1) states that claims for unliquidated damages "shall not state any specific dollar amount."

3. Alabama's Comparative Fault: Alabama follows the contributory negligence rule. Under Ala. Code Section 6-5-580, a plaintiff's own negligence, however slight, bars recovery.

4. Class Action Requirements: Alabama Rule of Civil Procedure 23 governs class actions. Alabama Code Section 6-5-641 provides additional requirements.

5. Transfer Between Courts: If a case is filed in the wrong court or county, it may be transferred rather than dismissed. See Ala. Code Section 6-3-21.1.

16.4 Major Circuit Contacts

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Alabama Administrative Office of Courts — Civil Forms: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/civil-forms/civil-forms/
• ARCiv-93 Cover Sheet: https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/he0bjh40/arciv-93-rev-0925.pdf
• AlaFile E-Filing Portal: https://efile.alacourt.gov
• Alabama Code Section 12-19-71 (Filing Fees): https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/title-12/chapter-19/article-3/division-2/section-12-19-71/
• Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure: https://judicial.alabama.gov/library/CivilProcedure
• Alabama Secretary of State (Entity Search): https://www.sos.alabama.gov