(A) A plaintiff who is an individual may elect to proceed under the Act regardless of whether the plaintiff is represented by an attorney or is self-represented. A plaintiff suing in a representative capacity (for example, a personal representative or next friend) or as an entity with the capacity to sue may elect to proceed under the Act only if the plaintiff is represented by an attorney.
§ 6-2202.Election to proceed.
Article 22: Rules for County Court Expedited Civil Actions · Last amended January 1, 2022 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentence§ 6-2202 sets who can choose the expedited track — any individual plaintiff, or a plaintiff suing in a representative or entity capacity only if represented by an attorney — and requires that choice be made by filing Appendix 1 with the complaint and serving it on every defendant.
Full Text of § 6-2202
(B) A plaintiff may elect to proceed by completing Appendix 1 and filing it along with the complaint in the county court. Both the complaint and Appendix 1 must be included when service is made on a defendant. If more than one plaintiff is named in the complaint, a separate Appendix 1 must be created for each plaintiff.
Amendment History
§ 6-2202 adopted December 8, 2021, effective January 1, 2022; § 6-2202(B) amended December 22, 2021, effective January 1, 2022.
Plain-English Summary
§ 6-2202 controls who gets to opt into the expedited process and how. An individual plaintiff can elect the expedited track whether or not a lawyer represents them. But a plaintiff suing on someone else’s behalf, as a personal representative or next friend, say, or an entity with its own capacity to sue, can only make that election if an attorney represents them. The rule draws that line because the expedited process trades some procedural protections for speed, and the drafters wanted a lawyer involved when the plaintiff is not a person suing for themselves.
Making the election takes a specific form: completing Appendix 1 and filing it with the complaint in county court. Both documents, complaint and Appendix 1, have to go out together when the defendant is served; one without the other does not put the defendant on proper notice that the case is proceeding on the expedited track. If more than one plaintiff joins the same complaint, each plaintiff needs a separate Appendix 1, since the election is personal to each plaintiff making it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an expedited civil action without a lawyer?
Yes, if you are an individual plaintiff. A plaintiff suing in a representative capacity or as an entity may only elect the expedited track if represented by an attorney.
Can a personal representative or guardian bring an expedited civil action?
Yes, but only if the plaintiff is represented by an attorney when making that election.
What form do I need to file to elect the expedited process?
Appendix 1, filed along with the complaint in county court.
Does the defendant need to receive Appendix 1 along with the complaint?
Yes. Both the complaint and Appendix 1 must be included when service is made on a defendant.
What if there is more than one plaintiff in the case?
A separate Appendix 1 must be created for each plaintiff named in the complaint.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Judicial Branch, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Nebraska. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: how to elect expedited civil action nebraskaappendix 1 expedited civil action6-2202 nebraska ruleself-represented plaintiff expedited actionfiling expedited civil action county courtwho qualifies for expedited civil action