A Pre-Trial Conference

Litigation Stages

Whether you are in litigation in the Small Claims Court or in the Superior Court of Justice, you will be involved in a pre-trial conference. A pre-trial conference is a non-binding settlement conference before trial. It is an informal meeting between the parties (the...

Lawsuits

Litigation Stages

There are two types of lawsuits in the court system. The usual lawsuit is one commenced by a statement of claim and is called “an action.” This type of lawsuit requires the opposing side, the defendant, to file a statement of defence. Once these “pleadings” are...

Offers to Settle in a Lawsuit

Litigation Settlement Offers

Almost all civil lawsuits settle before trial. The reasons why parties settle a lawsuit vary. For example, a party may find that he or she has evidentiary problems with proving a case at trial or a party may find that the high stress of litigation is too much. Most...

Self-Represented Litigants

Litigation Representing Yourself

Many people cannot afford a lawyer to represent them in court. This often happens in the small claims court and in family court but it also happens in criminal cases and in civil lawsuits. The court calls people representing themselves “self-represented litigants.”...

A Motion in a Lawsuit

Litigation Motion

A motion is a hearing in court before the trial of a lawsuit. It often involves seeking a court order to resolve some procedural dispute as the lawsuit proceeds to trial. For example, a party may be refusing to produce certain documents to the other party on the basis...