Instructions for Filing Actions Against the City of New York, the State of New York, and the United States of America depend on the type of action being taken and the court in which the action is being filed. Generally, the following procedures apply: 1. File a Complaint: The complaint is the document that outlines the claim and the relief sought. Depending on the court, the complaint may need to meet certain formatting requirements. 2. File a Summons: The summons is a formal notice to the defendant that a lawsuit has been filed. 3. Serve the Defendants: The complaint and summons must be served on the defendants in a manner that is allowed by law. This usually involves delivering copies of the complaint and summons to the defendants, either in person or through certified mail. 4. File a Proof of Service: After the defendants have been served, a proof of service must be filed with the court. This is a document that states when and how the defendants were served. 5. File a Motion for Summary Judgment: In some cases, a motion for summary judgment may be filed. This is a request for the court to decide the case without a trial. 6. Go to Trial: If the court does not grant summary judgment, the case will proceed to trial. The parties will present evidence and arguments to support their claims. The judge or jury will then make a decision. 7. Appeal: If either party is dissatisfied with the decision, they may appeal to a higher court.