There is one form of action — the civil action.
Rule 2.One form of action.
Last verified July 1, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2 does away with any separate forms of action in Arizona's courts, so every civil dispute — whether it seeks money damages, an injunction, or some other remedy — proceeds under the single label of a civil action.
Full Text of Rule 2
Amendment History
Promulgated by R-16-0010, effective January 1, 2017.
Plain-English Summary
Courts once separated lawsuits into different tracks depending on the kind of relief a plaintiff wanted — legal claims like money damages followed one set of procedures, while equitable claims like an injunction followed another. Rule 2 erases that divide for Arizona's superior courts.
Every dispute, no matter what remedy it seeks, is a civil action, governed by the same set of procedural rules from filing through judgment. A single complaint can ask for damages and an injunction together without needing to satisfy two different procedural systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a single Arizona lawsuit seek both money damages and an injunction?
Yes. Because Rule 2 merges every type of civil claim into one form of action, a complaint may combine legal relief, like damages, with equitable relief, like an injunction.
Does Arizona still separate "law" and "equity" cases procedurally?
No. Every civil dispute proceeds as a civil action under the same rules, regardless of what kind of relief is sought.
Where did the idea of separate forms of action come from?
Historically, courts used different procedures for legal and equitable claims; Rule 2 abolishes that distinction for Arizona’s civil courts.
Source & verification. The rule text and History are reproduced verbatim from the
official Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure (Ariz. R. Civ. P. 2). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Arizona (Ariz. Const. art. 6, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 1, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: one form of actioncivil actionmerger of law and equity