Litigation can be complex, expensive and time-consuming.
What you need is professional and effective litigation advice that puts you in the best position of strength.
Everything we do is open and transparent, so you can be sure of a full estimate of costs from the outset and we’ll always keep you informed so you never face unexpected bills.
What is Civil Litigation?
Civil litigation is the process of dispute resolution between members of a community through the court system. Civil law grants individuals the right to sue for compensation or specific action in matters such as breach of contract, defamation and negligence.
When can I sue someone?
If you feel that you’ve been wronged but it’s not a criminal matter to be dealt with by the Police then you may be able to commence a lawsuit against someone.
The kinds of disputes that are dealt with under civil law include disputes between:
- Customers and suppliers
- Business partners
- Landlords and tenants
- Executors or beneficiaries in deceased estates
- Creditors and debtors
Different kinds of legal cases have different time limitations imposed so you must seek legal advice quickly to find out if you can commence legal proceedings.
How to file a lawsuit – the civil litigation process
Before court proceedings are commenced, the first course of action is always to seek a resolution to the dispute, saving both time and money. Several alternative dispute resolution methods can be used including round table negotiation, conflict mediation, conciliation, and arbitration. Dispute resolution lawyers can assist with this process.
If all attempts to settle the dispute fail, then the dispute will be taken to trial.
Trial proceedings are lengthy and somewhat complex. The particular court forms which need to be completed to commence a civil suit vary according to the type of dispute so it’s best to seek legal advice concerning this.