IV: FILING OF THE COMPLAINT

1. When is a complaint deemed filed?

2. What is a docket fee?
3. What is the purpose of docket fees?
4. When may a complaint be considered filed despite the failure to pay the
proper docket fee? What are the conditions for the application of this
exception to the general rule?
5. How may the complaint be filed?
6. Is service a pre-requisite to the filing of the complaint?

Things That May Happen After The Complaint Is Filed

A. Complaint May Be Amended Or Supplemented

1. What are the kinds of amendments according to their nature?
2. What are the kinds of amendments according to the time when they
are made?
3. When is amendment a matter of right?
4. When is leave of court necessary for the amendment of a complaint
before an answer is served?
5. What is a supplemental pleading?
6. May a supplemental pleading introduce a new cause of action?
7. Give the differences between an amended complaint and a
supplemental complaint.

B. A Complaint-In-Intervention May Be Filed

1. Who may intervene in an action?
2. What are the kinds of interventions?
3. Why are interventions allowed by the rules?

C. Complaint May Be Dismissed

1. What are the possible grounds for the dismissal of the complaint by
the Court motu proprio, even before summons is issued?
2. When may the plaintiff cause the dismissal of his action through a
mere notice?
3. What is the two-dismissal rule?

D. Defendant May File An Answer Even Before Summons Is Issued Or

Served
1. What is the effect if the defendant files his Answer even before
summons is served?
E. Summons May Be Issued