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Civil Law

 Hours
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays:

Public Counter: 9 am - 4 pm
Phones: 8 am - 4 pm
Drop Box – Room 104, 8 am – 5 pm

 Address
807 Main Street, Room 104
Oregon City, Oregon 97045

 Map

 Contact Us 

Arbitration  503-655-8447, option 5
 Calendaring  503-655-8643, option 2
Civil- including name and sex changes  503-655-8447, option 5

Exhibits/Appeals/Subpoenaed Records  503-655-8447, option 7
Jury  503-655-8447, option 8
Landlord Tenant (Evictions) / Small Claims  503-655-8447, option 6

Legal Resources: 


Other Helpful Links:


This page covers information that is specific to civil cases (not including family law case types). Because of the number of possible civil actions and the potential complexity of each, it is strongly recommended that you consult an attorney before commencing legal action concerning civil matters.

IMPORANT NOTE: While court staff can provide general information about court procedures, ORS 9.160 prohibits court staff from giving legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney. 

ORS 9.320 states that any party who is not a “natural person” must “appear by attorney in all cases, unless otherwise specifically provided by law.” A natural person is a living human being who is not a company or other “legal person.” 

Electronic Filing

Anyone may register to use the electronic filing system and become an authorized filer. Refer to the State Court’s OJD eFile page for how to create an eFile account. 

Pursuant to UTCR 21.140, an active member of the Oregon State Bar must file documents using the electronic filing system, instead of conventional filing, unless:
  • The document is required to be conventionally filed under UTCR 21.070(3); or
  • The filer has obtained a waiver under UTCR 21.140(2); or
  • ​The document is required to be conventionally filed under SLR 2.501.

Conventional Filing

Self-represented litigants may choose to electronically file their documents, or alternatively, may file them conventionally. Conventional filing is a process where a filer files the paper document with the court, whether that is at the filing counter, through the mail, or dropped off at the courts “Drop Box”. Please do not send original documents directly to the judge's office. Please file the original document with the Case Unit on the first floor of the Courthouse). Options for conventionally filing are:

  • Mail – to Clackamas County Court: 807 Main Street, Room 104, Oregon City, OR 97045. 
  • Civil Filing Window – First floor of the Courthouse. 
  • Drop Box - The "Drop Box" adjacent to the filing windows on the first floor of the courthouse may be used to submit pleadings, other documents for filing, and payments during regular courthouse hours. Any filing and payment placed in the "Drop Box" before 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, excluding legal holidays, will be date stamped and deemed received and filed on that day. ​

There is one time a day when you may take motions and proposed orders to a courtroom to see if a judge will sign them. This is called Ex-parte. In Clackamas County Circuit Court, Ex-parte is at 1:00 pm Monday through Friday, except court holidays. Ex-parte lasts for 15 minutes; therefore, it is very important that you are in the court early. Refer to SLR 5.061​ for additional information.​

​​Fees for civil cases are due at the time of filing your papers. If you cannot pay the fee at the time of filing, you may apply for a fee deferral/waiver. If the fee deferral/waiver is granted, collections of those fees are the same as any other monetary obligation. For additional information, please go to the Collections Page​.


The Civil Motions Panel of the Clackamas County Circuit Court is a group of judges including pro tem judges who hear and decide regularly scheduled motions that are not assigned to a specific judge. Periodically, the judges confer regarding their prior rulings and have developed a consensus over time on particular issues.

This Statement does not have the force of law or court rule and the statements are not binding on any judge. The following is not a predetermination of any question presented on the merits to a judge in a particular action. The statement may be of assistance in guiding practitioners as to anticipated rulings on a specific question and may eliminate the time and expense of presenting the issues to the Court.

​What is Mediation?

  • A voluntary way to resolve your case with the help of a neutral person (the mediator). Instead of having a judge decide your case, you can work with a mediator to settle your case. You can still go to trial if you do not reach an agreement.
  • The mediator will help you and the other party communicate and come up with options to settle the case. The mediator does not take sides or give legal advice.

How does mediation work?

  • The mediator will explain the process at the beginning of mediation. Parties may meet with the mediator together or the mediator may meet with you each separately. Either party can ask to meet with the mediator alone.
  • During mediation, each party has an opportunity to suggest ideas for moving forward. The mediator helps the parties come up with ideas and possible solutions.
  • If both parties agree to a resolution, you may not need to go to court or arbitration. There is only a resolution in mediation if both parties agree to it.

How Do I Get My Case to Mediation?

  • ​Referral - The court may refer any civil case to mediation after the appearance by all parties, except in the following proceedings:
    • Family Abuse Prevention Act; 
    • Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities Abuse Prevention Act; and
    • Sexual Abuse Restraining Order cases.  If a party files ​a written objection to mediation, the court must remove it from mediation and proceed with the case in the normal fashion.  ORS 36.185.
  • Request - You can also ask the court to send your case to mediation by filing a request for mediation (Link to mediation forms page).

  • Agreement - You may talk with the other person directly and agree on mediation. If you decide to work with a private mediator, contact the mediator directly to learn more about their process.

My Case is Going to Arbitration — Can I Mediate My Case Instead?

Clackamas County does not currently have a mediation panel for civil cases (other than for small claims and landlord tenant cases). If all parties agree to mediation, they can still choose to mediate with a private mediator.

Who Chooses the Mediator?

Mediation is required in small claims cases, and a mediator will be scheduled through Clackamas County Resolution Services in those cases. Mediation is also available for landlord tenant cases through Clackamas County Resolution Services. For civil cases that do not fall under small claims or landlord tenant laws, the parties may agree on a private mediator that they find on their own.

You can find private mediators using these resources: 

​The Office of the State Court Administrator (OSCA) is required by ORS 36.185 to approve written information for parties in civil cases describing the mediation process, along with information about established court mediation opportunities. The clerk of the court ensures that the filing party receives these notices at time of filing and directs the filing party to serve a copy of the notice to the defendant(s).

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