Rule 4.01 Cost Deposit

When you file a complaint to start a lawsuit, you have to pay a cost deposit to the court clerk at the same time. This deposit covers court costs that come up during the case. The amount you owe is set by state law, specifically section 25-7-13 of the Mississippi Code, so it can change depending on what that law says.

This rule has been updated a few times since it started in 1995. At one point, the court added a rule that would have required an extra $1,000 deposit for certain eminent domain cases (cases where the government takes private property). But that extra requirement was put on hold shortly after it was adopted and was later removed completely in 2007.

For anyone filing a lawsuit today, the main thing to know is simple: you need to pay the required deposit when you file your complaint, and the amount depends on current state law. Check with the court clerk or look up section 25-7-13 to find out the exact amount you owe before you file.