How to prepare to meet with your Niagara civil litigation lawyer

Jun 23, 2016

Civil litigation is an area of law that deals with disputes between private parties that are non-criminal in nature. Civil litigation differs from commercial litigation, which involves business disputes.

A civil litigator helps individuals and businesses assert their rights in the Ontario court system. If you are involved in a dispute that requires legal assistance you can prepare for your first meeting with a Niagara civil litigation lawyer by understanding the process and gathering specific documents.

Types of civil litigation

Lawyers for civil cases usually specialize in one or two areas of civil litigation. These areas can include:

• Landlord and tenant disputes
• Personal injury
• Intellectual property
• Medical malpractice

Civil litigation process

Many civil litigation cases do not reach trial, but will still feature extensive pre-trial proceedings. This is why it is important to have an experienced and knowledgeable civil litigator representing you. A typical civil litigation case features the following stages:

1. Statement of Claim
2. Statement of Defence and/or Counterclaim
3. Discovery
4. Motions
5. Mediation
6. Trial

Your St. Catharines lawyer will guide you through the process and represent your interests throughout. The case may be settled by the parties at any stage during this process.

Meeting with a St. Catharines civil litigation lawyer

When you first meet with a St. Catharines civil litigation lawyer, be sure to bring any and all relevant documentation and correspondence. For example, any relevant medical records would be necessary for personal injury claims. It is also important for you to have a story of your claim, including “who, what, where, when, why and how” answers.

Having questions prepared for your civil litigator will also help establish a working relationship.

Questions can include:

• How often do they practice this type of civil litigation claim?
• What type of monetary damages should be sought in this claim?
• Does this litigator usually represent claimants or defendants?
  
  

If you are searching for a Niagara lawyer to represent your civil litigation matter, browse through the service offerings of Chown, Cairns litigation team. Our civil litigation law practice group will work hard on your behalf to realize a resolution. Click here to book a consult with a civil litigation lawyer.