How Do I Ask to Dismiss a Case With Prejudice?

Courts may be asked to dismiss, or cancel, a case. Usually this is done by the person who started the case, but it may be requested by the defendant under some circumstances.

The court may dismiss the case:

“With prejudice.” This is when a court ends a case and will not allow any other suit to be filed on the same claim in the future.
“Without prejudice.” This is when a court closes a case but will allow other suits to be filed on the same claim (if the statute of limitations has not run out).

Making a motion to dismiss a case “with prejudice”

Some reasons to dismiss a case with prejudice include:

The case was settled and the amount agreed upon was fully paid.
The defendant named in the case is not the right person or business.
The case has already been heard and decided upon before – for example, in another court.

NOTE: The court can also be asked to dismiss a specific person or business only, or a specific cause for the lawsuit – or counter claim – only. The same forms and procedures as given below would also be used for these requests to the court.

If you DO settle your dispute, write down what was agreed to. Include:

The names and addresses of the two people,
A brief description of the “what,” “when” and “where” of the dispute that has been resolved,
A statement of what the person giving up a claim is getting in return,
The date the agreement is being signed, and
The signatures of everyone involved.

Make sure everyone has a copy of the agreement, and keep your copy of the agreement in a safe place.

To ask the court to dismiss the case (or part of the case) with prejudice

Step 1. Get and fill in your court forms.

To dismiss a case with prejudice, use a:

Request for Dismissal (Form CIV-110)

At the same time, get a copy of the:

Notice of Entry of Dismissal and Proof of Service (CIV-120)

For the Request for Dismissal (Form CIV-110):

In the Request for Dismissal box, check ? Other and write in Small Claims case.
In No. 1 -- “TO THE CLERK: Please dismiss this action as follows:”

Check a. (1) ? With prejudice

Check b. (2) ? if you are the plaintiff.

Check b. (3) ? if you are the defendant and filed a counter-claim. Fill in your name and the date you filed the cross-complaint.

Write the date you are filling out the form.

Print your name, and sign the line for (signature).
In No. 2 -- “TO THE CLERK: Consent to the above dismissal is hereby given:”

Leave blank if you are the plaintiff.

Fill in if you are the defendant, you filed a cross-complaint and are agreeing to the dismissal of both your claim and theirs.
The clerk will fill in the bottom potion of the form.

For the Notice of Entry of Dismissal and Proof of Service (Form CIV-120):

Fill in the top section.
Do not fill in the Proof of Service section.

Make copies of Form CIV-110 – one copy for your files and one copy for each of the other parties involved in the case. (The court will keep the original.)

Step 2. File the Forms CIV-110 and CIV-120.

Mail or take the Forms CIV-110 and CIV-120 to the courthouse. A clerk will put the originals in the case file, then stamp the photocopies and return them to the person doing the filing. (If you file your papers by mail, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so the court can mail the copies back to you.)

Step 3. Inform the other side (service of process).

Attach a filed (stamped) copy of Form CIV-110 to a Form CIV-120.
Have an adult, other than you, mail a copy of the two forms to each person or business involved in the case.

Step 4: Inform the court that the copies were mailed (proof of service).

Have your server complete the “Proof of Service” section at the bottom of the original
CIV-120 form.
Either you or your server may mail or take the completed Proof of Service (on Form
CIV-120) to the court clerk for filing.
- If you file your form by mail, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so the court can mail a copy back to you.

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