What is civil litigation?

Civil Litigation occurs when two or more parties, which may include companies, have a non-criminal legal dispute. Ultimately, the goal of civil litigation is for the party suing to seek compensation or other damages from another party.

How does it work?

In short, the case is presented to the court where the plaintiff(s) (the party or parties suing) seek compensation or other damages from the defendant(s) (the party or parties being sued).

In many cases, claims can be rectified without a lawsuit occurring. Other claims however, ensure that it is mandatory that the lawsuit be started in the appropriate level of court based on the context or severity of the case.

Our Edmonton civil litigation lawyers at Forum Law can provide all of the legal advice and representation you need regardless of your needs for your individualized case(s). We will be with you every step of the way to guide you through the legal process by seasoned lawyers who excel in legal knowledge, care for our clients and of course, integrity above all else.

 

Choosing the right advisor can save you millions of dollars

Litigation can be stressful. It can also be time-consuming, complicated, and expensive. We take the time to understand your goals, explain litigation procedures, and explore various problem-solving approaches and techniques designed to provide cost-effective and timely results for any situation.

 

Services we provide

Civil Litigation also involves various statutory timelines that could have a significant impact on your ability to sue or defend a lawsuit. Do not wait to contact our team to determine if a civil litigator is right for you.

We represent both Plaintiffs and Defendants for the following services:

 

 

Common Types of Small Business Lawsuits

  • Breach of Contract
  • Disputes with employees
  • Intellectual Property Infringement
  • Product Liability

Civil lawsuits typically touch on issues involving breach of contract, commercial litigation, debt collection, property dispute, or perhaps a contractor who has not been paid for the work completed.

If you are served with a Statement of Claim or are contemplating filing a civil action, please make it a point to talk to Forum Law before you take any further action.

 

Steps in Civil Litigation

01 / Preliminary

As a preliminary step, you may want to get the best advice on what kind of claim you can file in court or whether you even have a claim at all. After that preliminary advice, you may then be advised to file your complaint in court. The complaint in a civil process and the type of statements or counter statements that could be filed to explain your case are known in law as pleadings.

02 / Discovery

This refers to the formal process the parties to a lawsuit go through to exchange documents about the witnesses and evidence they will present at the trial. This furnishes the parties with information about evidence the other side intends to rely on to prove their case in court. At this stage, depositions or sworn out of court oral testimonies may be needed. Forum Law can you navigate through this process.

03 / Trial

The parties are required to present the facts of the case to the court. The rules of court stipulate what kind of evidence is acceptable. There are boundaries both parties cannot cross and when these boundaries are not adhered to, the evidence may be excluded by the court.

04 / The Verdict

During civil cases sometimes tried with a jury, the jury ultimately determines who gets to win or lose and any resulting liability or damages. The jury in such instances determines the relevant facts and law before reaching a final verdict.