General Civil Case Cover Sheet - Oregon

GENERAL CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET

OREGON CIRCUIT COURTS

Use of this sheet: This is an optional case-information cover sheet. Confirm any applicable court request before submitting it. It does not replace the initiating pleading. Under ORS 21.105, that pleading's caption must identify the filing-fee statute and, when ORS 21.160 applies, the amount in controversy. Put that information in the pleading itself, whether or not this sheet is used.

I. COURT AND CASE IDENTIFICATION

II. CASE CAPTION

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON
FOR THE COUNTY OF [________________________________]

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

v.

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

Case No. ________________________

III. FILER IDENTITY

IV. PARTY INFORMATION

A. Plaintiff(s) / Petitioner(s)

☐ Additional plaintiffs/petitioners listed on attached Schedule A

B. Defendant(s) / Respondent(s)

☐ Additional defendants/respondents listed on attached Schedule B

V. ATTORNEY / SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANT INFORMATION

A. Attorney for Filing Party

B. Attorney for Opposing Party (if known)

C. Self-Represented Litigant

☐ Filing party is self-represented

E-Filing Note: At least one valid email address is required for e-filed cases. Update service contacts in the Odyssey File & Serve system promptly after filing.

VI. CASE CATEGORY AND TYPE

Identify the principal claim and list any additional claims in the space below. Complete this optional sheet only if it is useful for the filing or requested by the court.

Additional claims: [________________________________]

A. TORT

☐ Motor Vehicle — Personal Injury
☐ Motor Vehicle — Property Damage Only
☐ Premises Liability
☐ General Negligence
☐ Product Liability (ORS 30.900 et seq.)
☐ Medical Malpractice (ORS 677.095 et seq.)
☐ Professional Malpractice — Legal
☐ Professional Malpractice — Other (non-medical)
☐ Intentional Tort (Assault, Battery, Conversion)
☐ Defamation / Libel / Slander
☐ Wrongful Death (ORS 30.010 et seq.)
☐ Other Tort (specify): [________________________________]

B. CONTRACT / COMMERCIAL

☐ Breach of Contract — General
☐ Debt Collection / Account Stated
☐ Construction / Contractor Dispute
☐ Employment — Contract (non-statutory)
☐ Insurance Coverage / Bad Faith (ORS 746.230)
☐ Commercial / Franchise Dispute
☐ Uniform Commercial Code (ORS Chapters 71-79)
☐ Other Contract (specify): [________________________________]

C. REAL PROPERTY

☐ Judicial Foreclosure (ORS 88.010 et seq.)
☐ Quiet Title / Declaratory Relief — Real Property
☐ Partition (ORS 105.205 et seq.)
☐ Landlord-Tenant — Residential (ORS Chapter 90)
☐ Landlord-Tenant — Commercial (ORS Chapter 91)
☐ Condemnation / Eminent Domain (ORS Chapter 35)
☐ Boundary / Easement Dispute
☐ Other Real Property (specify): [________________________________]

D. STATUTORY / OTHER CIVIL

☐ Consumer Protection / UTPA (ORS 646.605 et seq.)
☐ Securities / Investor Fraud
☐ Civil Rights — State (ORS Chapter 659A)
☐ Civil Rights — Federal (42 U.S.C. § 1983)
☐ RICO / Racketeering (ORS 166.715 et seq.)
☐ Habeas Corpus
☐ Mandamus / Quo Warranto
☐ Administrative Review — APA (ORS 183.484)
☐ Declaratory Judgment — Non-Contract (ORS 28.010 et seq.)
☐ Foreign Judgment Domestication (ORS 24.105 et seq.)
☐ Name Change (ORS 33.410)
☐ Other Statutory / Civil (specify): [________________________________]

E. COMPLEX BUSINESS / COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

☐ Complex case — anticipated to involve more than 250 hours of discovery, multi-state parties, or voluminous electronic discovery
☐ Case involves substantial electronic discovery requiring special protocols

VII. AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY AND RELIEF SOUGHT

A. Monetary Relief (select one tier — determines filing fee under ORS 21.160):

☐ $10,000 or less (Filing Fee: $170.00)
☐ More than $10,000 but less than $50,000 (Filing Fee: $283.00)
☐ $50,000 or more but less than $1,000,000 (Filing Fee: $594.00)
☐ $1,000,000 or more but less than $10,000,000 (Filing Fee: $884.00)
☐ $10,000,000 or more (Filing Fee: $1,178.00)
☐ Non-monetary relief only (Filing Fee: per ORS 21.135 standard fee)

Approximate monetary damages claimed: $[________________________________]

B. Additional Relief Sought

☐ Punitive damages may be sought only through the procedure in ORS 31.725; do not request them in the initial pleading
☐ Attorney fees claimed by statute or contract — Statute / Provision: [________________________________]
☐ Injunctive relief (temporary / preliminary / permanent)
☐ Declaratory judgment
☐ Specific performance
☐ Other equitable relief: [________________________________]

ORCP 18 B Reminder: If recovery of money or damages is demanded, the amount demanded must be stated. This includes economic and noneconomic damages. Confirm any pleading and service requirements before filing; this Cover Sheet does not replace the complaint or other initiating pleading.

ORS 31.725 Reminder: A pleading may not request punitive damages when it is filed. After filing, a party may move to amend to assert a punitive-damages claim, subject to the statute's evidence, prejudice, hearing, and discovery requirements.

VIII. JURY DEMAND

☐ Jury trial demanded
☐ No jury trial demanded at this time

Oregon Jury Demand Rules:

• ORCP 50 preserves the right of trial by jury as declared by the Oregon Constitution or given by statute.
• ORCP 51 C provides that issues of fact are tried by a jury unless the parties stipulate to a court trial or the court determines that no jury right exists.
• Confirm any applicable local filing, demand, and fee requirements with the court before filing.

IX. SERVICE INFORMATION

Service / limitations note: ORCP 7 B allows the plaintiff or plaintiff's attorney to issue a summons after the action is commenced, and ORCP 7 C(1) sets the summons contents. Those provisions do not create a 60-day summons expiration. Under ORS 12.020, for limitations purposes an action is deemed commenced as to a defendant when the complaint is filed and the summons is served; service or publication within 60 days after filing preserves the filing date under subsection (2). Confirm the required service method and timing before filing.

X. RELATED OR PRIOR CASES

1. Are there any pending or concluded cases in Oregon state or federal courts that arise out of the same transaction or occurrence, involve the same parties, or may be subject to consolidation?

☐ No
☐ Yes — provide details:

2. Is any party a debtor in a pending bankruptcy case?

☐ No
☐ Yes — District / Case No.: [________________________________]

XI. FILING FEE SCHEDULE

Filing fees for Oregon Circuit Courts are established by ORS Chapter 21 and are subject to periodic adjustment by the Legislature or Chief Justice order.

Complaint / Initiating Document Fees (ORS 21.160 — Tort and Contract):

Other Filing Fees:

Verify Before Filing: Fee amounts shown are based on current ORS Chapter 21 and are subject to legislative or judicial amendment. Confirm the current fee schedule with the Clerk or at https://www.courts.oregon.gov/pages/fees.aspx. Under-payment may result in rejection of the filing; over-payment may delay processing.

☐ Filing fee tendered: $[________________________________]
☐ Fee waiver / deferral application filed (ORS 21.685)

XII. ELECTRONIC FILING INFORMATION

Oregon Circuit Courts use the Odyssey File & Serve system (Tyler Technologies) for mandatory electronic filing.

E-Filing Requirements:

• Oregon Bar licensees: Under UTCR 21.140, active licensees must use the electronic filing system in Oregon circuit courts unless a document must be conventionally filed under UTCR 21.070(3) or the filer has obtained a waiver under UTCR 21.140(2).
• Self-Represented Litigants: May file electronically or in paper at the Clerk's Office, depending on county.
• Document Format: PDF only; comply with UTCR 21.040 formatting requirements.
• Optional cover sheet: Upload this sheet only if the court asks for it, using the document category the court identifies. The initiating pleading remains the lead document.

Paper Filing (where permitted):

• Use white, letter-sized paper (8.5" x 11").
• Do not staple; the Clerk will barcode and scan.
• Retain a conformed copy for service and records.

☐ Filing submitted electronically via Odyssey File & Serve
☐ Filing submitted in paper at the Clerk's Office

XIII. CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I certify that:

1. The information provided in this Civil Case Cover Sheet is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief;
2. I have reviewed the applicable Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR), Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure (ORCP), Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 21 (Fees), and the Supplementary Local Rules for the applicable judicial district;
3. I have tendered the correct filing fee or a proper fee waiver / deferral application under ORS 21.685; and
4. I understand that this optional sheet does not issue a summons. Under ORCP 7 B, the plaintiff or plaintiff's attorney may issue the summons after the action is commenced.

XIV. CLERK'S OFFICE USE ONLY

XV. PRACTICE TIPS AND GUIDANCE

Caption Requirements (ORS 21.105)

1. The caption of any complaint commencing a civil proceeding must include a reference to the ORS section that establishes the applicable filing fee (e.g., "Filing Fee: ORS 21.160").
2. If the action is subject to ORS 21.160 (tort or contract), the caption must also state the amount in controversy tier.
3. The "amount claimed" does not include attorney fees or costs and disbursements (ORS 21.160(4)).

Damages Pleading (ORCP 18 B)

4. ORCP 18 B requires the amount of money or damages demanded to be stated, including noneconomic damages.
5. ORS 31.725 bars a request for punitive damages in the initial pleading. After filing, a party may move to amend to assert the claim, subject to the statute's requirements.

Venue

6. Venue is generally proper in the county where the defendant resides or where the cause of action arose (ORS 14.080).
7. For the real-property actions listed in ORS 14.040, venue lies in the county where the property or some part of it is situated.
8. A motion to change the place of trial may be made before trial begins; one based on filing in the wrong county under ORS 14.110(1)(a) must be made before the answer is filed (ORS 14.120).

Service Notes

9. A plaintiff or plaintiff's attorney may issue the summons after the action is commenced (ORCP 7 B). For limitations purposes, ORS 12.020 addresses service within 60 days after filing; ORCP 7 C(1) does not create a 60-day summons expiration.
10. Service by mail under ORCP 7 D(2)(d) requires first class mail plus certified, registered, or express mail with return receipt requested. It is complete when the defendant or an authorized person signs a receipt, or three days after an Oregon mailing or seven days after an out-of-state mailing, whichever occurs first.
11. Service by publication requires a court order and is available only when the defendant cannot be found after diligent search (ORCP 7 D(6)).

Sources and References

• ORS Chapter 21 (Court Fees): https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors021.html
• ORS Chapter 12 (Limitations of Actions): https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors012.html
• ORS Chapter 31 (Punitive Damages): https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors031.html
• Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure (ORCP): https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/SiteAssets/ORCP.html
• Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR): https://www.courts.oregon.gov/rules/Pages/utcr.aspx
• Oregon Circuit Court Fee Schedule: https://www.courts.oregon.gov/pages/fees.aspx
• Odyssey File & Serve (E-Filing): https://oregon.tylerhost.net/ofsweb
• ORS 21.685 (Fee Waiver / Deferral): https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors021.html
• Oregon Judicial Department — Forms: https://www.courts.oregon.gov/forms/Pages/default.aspx

This template is provided for informational and drafting purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Practitioners must verify all statutory citations, filing fees, court rules, and local Supplementary Local Rules against current authority before filing. Fee amounts are subject to change by legislative action or Chief Justice order.