Not a standard lawsuit
A qui tam suit is filed under seal in federal court. The defendant is not initially served publicly. The Department of Justice receives the complaint and a disclosure statement while it investigates.
Government intervention
DOJ may intervene and lead the case, decline and let the relator proceed, or seek dismissal. Intervention strongly correlates with recovery but is never guaranteed.
Timeline and stakes
Cases often take years. Relators need counsel prepared for a long seal period, document production, and possible litigation if the government declines.