The orderly sequence of events that constitute the progression of a lawsuit or judicial procedure from the time of commencement, through all acts and occurrences, until and including the execution of the final judgment. collateral proceeding. 1 One brought to deal with an issue not directly germane to the issue. 2 One instituted for the purpose of modifying the result of a judgment while not nullifying it. informal proceeding. See informal proceeding. summary proceeding. See summary proceeding