Once a case is in the proper court system,application of the res ipsa loquitur doctrine determines which trial court in the system will hear the case.

Res Ipsa Loquitur

A legal doctrine meaning "the thing speaks for itself," used when the cause of an injury is obviously due to negligence.

Trial Court

A court in which most civil or criminal cases start when they first enter the legal system. The parties present evidence and call witnesses to testify. Trial courts are referred to as courts of common pleas or county courts in state court systems and as district courts in the federal system. Also called court of original jurisdiction and court of first instance.