Civil litigation is the process by which two or more parties resolve a dispute through the court system. One party files a complaint, which initiates a lawsuit. The other party must then file an answer to the complaint. Following the complaint and answer is a period called discovery, during which any party may take depositions, issue subpoenas and serve other parties with written discovery, such as interrogatories or requests for production of documents. The discovery stage can last anywhere from six months to a year or longer, depending on the complexity of the case. Following the completion of discovery, there is oftentimes motion practice, and if the case still has not resolved, a trial on the merits will take place.