A Paralegal’s Guide: Orleans Civil District Court vs. First City Court – Where to File? 🏛️

 

NEW ORLEANS, LA – For any legal professional in the Crescent City, navigating the court system can feel like deciphering an ancient map. Consequently, one of the most frequent questions paralegals and attorneys face is: “Does this go to Orleans Civil District Court or First City Court?” 🤯 Getting this wrong can lead to delays, dismissed filings, and wasted time.

As of Thursday, September 18, 2025, understanding the specific jurisdictions is key to efficient legal practice in New Orleans. At Lafayette Process Servers LLC (serving New Orleans and all of Acadiana), we handle filings in both courts daily. For this reason, we’ve created a simple guide to help you know exactly where to file your case.

 

---

 

Understanding the New Orleans Court Landscape 🌆

 

To begin, it’s important to know that Orleans Parish, unlike many other parishes in Louisiana, operates with a distinct separation of civil jurisdictions. Knowing the difference between the Civil District Court and the City Courts is, therefore, crucial for proper filing and subsequent process server New Orleans assignments.

 

---

 

1. Orleans Parish Civil District Court (CDC) – The Court of General Jurisdiction

 

The Orleans Civil District Court, located at 421 Loyola Avenue, handles the majority of significant civil lawsuits in Orleans Parish. In other words, you should think of it as the higher civil court with broader jurisdiction.

 

What to File Here:

• Monetary Claims: Typically, civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $50,000. 💰

 

• Family Law Matters: For example, divorces, child custody, support, and community property partitions.

 

• Successions: This also includes probate matters and estate administration.

 

• Major Personal Injury Cases: Auto accidents, medical malpractice, and premises liability claims with higher damages.

 

• Property Disputes: In addition, the CDC handles complex disputes over real estate, land, and larger property valuations.

 

• Class Action Lawsuits: Finally, it manages large-scale collective claims.

 

---

 

2. First City Court of New Orleans – Limited Civil and Eviction Jurisdiction

 

On the other hand, the First City Court, located at 421 Loyola Avenue (sharing a building with CDC but on different floors), has a more limited, but very important, jurisdiction. Specifically, it serves the East Bank of Orleans Parish.

 

What to File Here:

 

• Monetary Claims: Civil cases where the amount in dispute is generally up to $35,000.

 

• Evictions (East Bank): This is the primary court for landlord-tenant disputes and residential evictions on the East Bank of New Orleans. 🏠

 

• Small Claims: It also handles cases under a certain monetary threshold designed for simpler, faster resolution.

 

• Garnishments: Lastly, you would file post-judgment garnishments here for judgments issued by First City Court.

 

---

 

3. Second City Court of New Orleans – West Bank Jurisdiction

 

Furthermore, it’s important to briefly mention the Second City Court, located in Algiers. It handles similar matters to the First City Court but specifically for the West Bank of Orleans Parish. Its jurisdiction, for instance, covers civil claims up to $35,000 and evictions for the Algiers area.

 

---

 

Quick Reference: Orleans Civil vs. City Court Jurisdiction Chart 📊

 

To make this even clearer, here is a side-by-side comparison:

---

 

Overwhelmed? Let Our New Orleans Process Servers Handle It.

 

While understanding these distinctions saves countless hours, your valuable legal staff’s time is best spent on strategy and client advocacy. Therefore, don’t let court logistics slow you down.

At Lafayette Process Servers LLC, our experienced courthouse runners and process servers New Orleans team navigate these jurisdictional nuances daily. We know exactly where your documents need to go, ensuring accurate filing and proper service of process every time. In short, we offer reliable, efficient service for all your New Orleans court needs, from the CDC to City Court.

Contact us today to ensure your legal documents are filed and served correctly in New Orleans.

 

---

 

⚠️ Disclaimer

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Court jurisdictions, rules, and monetary limits are subject to change. For this reason, you should always verify current requirements with the respective court clerk’s office or consult with a qualified Louisiana attorney for specific legal guidance on your case.

 

---

 

📚 Sources & Further Reading

 

• Orleans Parish Civil District Court Official Website: Provides rules, forms, and department information. Link to CDC NOLA

 

• First City Court of New Orleans Official Website: Offers details on jurisdiction, filing, and eviction procedures for the East Bank. Link to First City Court NOLA

 

• Second City Court of New Orleans Official Website: Information for cases and evictions on the West Bank (Algiers). Link to Second City Court NOLA

 

• Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure: The state laws governing court jurisdiction and civil filings. Link to Louisiana Legislature

 

• Lafayette Process Servers LLC (Serving New Orleans): For professional process serving and courthouse runner services. Lafayette Process Servers LLC

 

• 🏛️ The Definitive Guide to Court-Ready Document Binding in New Orleans 📄