Civil Cover Sheet - Arkansas Circuit Court (AOC Intake Worksheet)

CIVIL COVER SHEET -- INTAKE WORKSHEET

Arkansas Circuit Court -- AOC Civil Cover Sheet

FILING REQUIREMENT: A Civil Cover Sheet is required to accompany all initial civil filings in Arkansas Circuit Court. The clerk shall not accept the initial pleading unless accompanied by the completed cover sheet. The official Arkansas AOC Civil Cover Sheet must be completed and submitted through the eFlex electronic filing system or filed in paper format where permitted. This worksheet is designed to gather all required information before completing the official AOC form or the eFlex portal. The current cover sheet form is dated 6/1/2017 (most recent revision). Visit https://www.arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms for the official form.

SEPARATE COVER SHEETS: Probate, domestic relations, and juvenile cases have their own AOC cover sheet forms. Use the correct form for the specific case type.

1. COURT AND CASE CAPTION

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [________________________________] COUNTY, ARKANSAS

DISTRICT: [________________________________] (if applicable)
DIVISION: [________________________________]

[________________________________],
PLAINTIFF(S),

v. CASE ID: [________________________________]
(Assigned by Clerk)
[________________________________],
DEFENDANT(S).

2. FILER IDENTITY

Select the filer's role in this action:

☐ Plaintiff
☐ Defendant
☐ Attorney for Plaintiff
☐ Attorney for Defendant
☐ Attorney for Intervenor
☐ Cross-Plaintiff / Cross-Defendant
☐ Third-Party Plaintiff / Third-Party Defendant
☐ Other: [________________________________]

3. PARTY INFORMATION

A. Plaintiff(s)

☐ Additional plaintiffs -- attach continuation sheet.

B. Defendant(s)

☐ Additional defendants -- attach continuation sheet.

C. Interpreter / Accommodation Needs

☐ Interpreter needed: ☐ Yes ☐ No
- Language: [________________________________]

☐ ADA accommodation needed: ☐ Yes ☐ No
- Describe accommodation: [________________________________]

4. ATTORNEY / CONTACT INFORMATION

5. TYPE OF CASE -- AOC CASE TYPE CODES

Select the ONE case type code that best describes the subject matter of the pleading being filed. If no code accurately describes the case, select "Other" in the applicable category.

(Mirror of official AOC Civil Cover Sheet case type codes)

A. TORTS

B. CONTRACTS

CONTRACT CLASSIFICATION NOTE: Per the AOC Cover Sheet Instructions, "Contracts: Buyer Plaintiff" (DO) involves a buyer of goods or services alleging failure of the seller. "Contracts: Seller Plaintiff" (OC) involves a seller/provider bringing suit against a buyer. Select the code that matches the plaintiff's role in the transaction.

C. REAL PROPERTY

D. MISCELLANEOUS CIVIL

6. MANNER OF FILING

Select the manner in which this case is being filed (AOC field):

☐ MFO -- Original (new case filing)
☐ MFR -- Re-open (previously dismissed or closed case being reopened)
☐ MFT -- Transfer (case transferred from another court or county)
☐ MFF -- Reactivate (previously inactive case being reactivated)

7. AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY / RELIEF SOUGHT

A. Monetary Damages

☐ Monetary damages are sought in the approximate amount of $[________________________________].

☐ Damages are unliquidated / amount to be determined at trial.

☐ No monetary damages sought (equitable relief only).

B. Non-Monetary / Equitable Relief

☐ Injunctive relief: [________________________________]
☐ Declaratory judgment: [________________________________]
☐ Specific performance: [________________________________]
☐ Writ of mandamus / prohibition / certiorari: [________________________________]
☐ Quiet title: [________________________________]
☐ Possession of property: [________________________________]
☐ Other equitable relief: [________________________________]

JURISDICTIONAL NOTE: Arkansas Circuit Court has general civil jurisdiction. Small claims matters ($5,000 or less under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-108-201 et seq.) are heard in the small claims division. District court jurisdiction was abolished effective January 1, 2001; all matters formerly handled by municipal courts or justice of the peace courts are now in circuit court.

8. JURY DEMAND

☐ Jury trial requested -- A jury demand is made pursuant to Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 38.

☐ Non-jury / Bench trial -- No jury demand is made at this time.

☐ Jury demand reserved -- The right to demand a jury trial is reserved.

PRACTICE NOTE: Under Ark. R. Civ. P. 38(b), any party may demand a trial by jury by serving a written demand upon the other parties no later than the time of filing the answer or a reply to a counterclaim. The demand must specify the issues on which a jury trial is demanded, or a jury trial is demanded on all issues. Failure to serve and file a timely demand constitutes waiver. The jury demand fee must be paid at the time of filing; check the current fee schedule with the Clerk.

9. SERVICE INFORMATION

A. Service Addresses for Each Defendant

B. Special Service Considerations

☐ Corporation / LLC -- Service upon registered agent: [________________________________]. Agent address: [________________________________]. (Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(5); Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-113 for LLCs; Ark. Code Ann. § 4-27-504 for corporations.)

☐ Government entity -- Service upon designated officer/agent per Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(7).

☐ Out-of-state defendant -- Long-arm service under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-4-101 et seq.

☐ Defendant's address unknown -- Warning Order under Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(f).

☐ Secretary of State as agent -- Service on Secretary of State as statutory agent under applicable statute.

☐ Waiver of service requested -- Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(g).

10. RELATED CASES

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

☐ No related cases.

☐ Yes -- The following related case(s) are identified:

Prior Appeals or Transfers

☐ No prior appeals or transfers.

☐ Yes -- [________________________________]

11. FILING FEES

☐ In Forma Pauperis (IFP) petition filed -- Fee waiver requested pursuant to Ark. R. Civ. P. 72.

FEE NOTE: Filing fees vary by county and case type. Contact the Circuit Clerk's office for current fees. eFlex electronic filing may include an additional electronic filing fee. See Ark. Code Ann. § 16-55-201 et seq. for statutory filing fee authority.

12. eFLEX ELECTRONIC FILING

☐ This case is being initiated through the eFlex electronic filing system.

☐ This case is being filed in paper format.

eFLEX NOTE: Under Arkansas Administrative Order No. 21, electronic filing through eFlex is required for initiating civil actions and for subsequent filings in the civil, domestic relations, and probate divisions of circuit court. Attorneys are required to register for and use eFlex. Self-represented parties may file electronically or in paper. Visit https://eflex.arcourts.gov for registration and filing instructions.

13. CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I certify that the information provided in this Civil Cover Sheet Worksheet
is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the
official Arkansas AOC Civil Cover Sheet must be completed and filed with
the initial pleading in Circuit Court, and that the Clerk shall not accept
the initial pleading without the completed cover sheet.

Date: [__/__/____]

________________________________________
[________________________________]
Arkansas Bar No. [________________________________] / Pro Se
[Role: Attorney for Plaintiff / Attorney for Defendant / Self-Represented]

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________], Arkansas [________]
Telephone: (____) ____-________
Email: [________________________________]

PRACTICE TIPS AND GUIDANCE

Filing the AOC Cover Sheet

1. Mandatory Requirement. The cover sheet is an informational form required to be filed in all civil cases. The Clerk shall not accept the initial pleading unless accompanied by the completed AOC cover sheet. This requirement applies to paper filings and eFlex electronic filings.

2. Correct Form. Use the Civil cover sheet for general civil cases. Separate AOC cover sheet forms exist for: (a) Domestic Relations cases; (b) Probate cases; (c) Juvenile cases. Using the wrong form may result in rejection of the filing.

3. One Case Type. Select the single case type code that best describes the primary subject matter. If no code accurately describes the case, select the "Other" option in the most relevant category and provide a brief description.

4. eFlex Portal. When filing through eFlex, cover sheet information is entered directly into the electronic filing portal. The system will prompt for each required field. Ensure all data matches the complaint or petition being filed.

Case Type Selection

5. Buyer vs. Seller Plaintiff (Contracts). The AOC instructions distinguish between "Contracts: Buyer Plaintiff" (code DO) and "Contracts: Seller Plaintiff" (code OC). Select based on the plaintiff's role: if the plaintiff purchased goods or services and is suing the seller, use DO; if the plaintiff sold goods or services and is suing the buyer, use OC.

6. Employment Cases. Employment discrimination (EM) and Employment -- Other (EO) are classified under the Contracts category on the AOC form, not as a separate employment category. Select accordingly.

7. Unlawful Detainer. Standard eviction actions use code UD. Other unlawful detainer actions (e.g., holdover tenants, squatters) use code UO. Unlawful detainer cases under Ark. Code Ann. § 18-60-301 et seq. follow expedited procedures.

Jurisdictional and Venue Considerations

8. Circuit Court Jurisdiction. Arkansas Circuit Court has general civil jurisdiction (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-13-301 et seq.). There is no separate district court for civil matters; all civil cases are filed in circuit court.

9. Small Claims. Small claims ($5,000 or less) are heard in the small claims division of circuit court under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-108-201 et seq. A separate small claims form may be required.

10. Venue. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-17-101 et seq., venue generally lies in the county where the defendant resides, where the cause of action arose, or where the subject property is located. Improper venue may be challenged by motion under Ark. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(3).

Service of Process

11. Methods of Service. Under Ark. R. Civ. P. 4, service may be effected by: (a) sheriff or deputy; (b) private process server; (c) certified mail, return receipt requested; (d) warning order (for unknown or absent defendants); or (e) waiver of service. The method selected on the cover sheet should match the summons.

12. Corporate Service. Corporations are served through their registered agent (Ark. Code Ann. § 4-27-504). LLCs are served through their registered agent (Ark. Code Ann. § 4-20-113). If the registered agent cannot be found, service may be made on the Secretary of State.

13. Long-Arm Jurisdiction. For out-of-state defendants, the Arkansas long-arm statute (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-4-101 et seq.) provides a basis for personal jurisdiction. Service on out-of-state defendants follows Ark. R. Civ. P. 4(e).

Jury Demand

14. Timing. Under Ark. R. Civ. P. 38(b), a jury demand must be served no later than the time of filing the answer (for the plaintiff) or within the time allowed for responding (for the defendant). Failure to timely demand constitutes waiver.

15. Jury Demand Fee. A separate jury demand fee must be paid at the time the demand is filed. The fee amount varies by county; check with the Circuit Clerk.

Record Retention

16. Document Copies. Retain a file-stamped copy of the cover sheet and initial pleading, or the eFlex filing confirmation, for your case file. Maintain records for at least five years after case closure or as required by applicable rules of professional conduct.

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Arkansas AOC Civil Cover Sheet (Official Form): https://www.arcourts.gov/sites/default/files/formatted-files/2017_CV_cover_0_1.pdf
• Arkansas AOC Civil Cover Sheet Instructions: https://arcourts.gov/sites/default/files/formatted-files/2017_CV_cover_instructions.pdf
• Arkansas Court Forms: https://www.arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms
• Arkansas eFlex Electronic Filing: https://eflex.arcourts.gov
• Arkansas eFlex Resources: https://eflex.arcourts.gov/eflexCRResources/
• Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure: https://www.arcourts.gov
• Arkansas Code: https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/