What is Civil Litigation?
Civil Litigation is when two or more people are in a dispute. The dispute can vary greatly from fees owed for a service provided but unpaid to a service not provided but paid for.
It ranges quite a lot and the job of a solicitor is to advice the client on the issues presented and how to achieve the best and cost effective resolution for our client.
This can entail putting our clients position firmly to the other side (where our client has a strong case) or negotiating a settlement with the other side that suits our client (where our client is in the wrong) to suggesting and arranging mediation.
Going to court is always a last resort and if we have to go to court, we will ensure that our client is in the best possible position to get a good outcome.
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:
- Neighbours
- Customers and suppliers
- Business partners
- Landlords and tenants
- Buyers and sellers of property
- Home owners and builders
- Employees and employers
- Executors or beneficiaries in deceased estates
- Owners of copyrights and patents
- Creditors and debtors
- Accident victims
Different kinds of legal cases have different time limitations imposed so it’s important that you seek legal advice quickly to find out if you can commence legal proceedings.
How to file a law suit – the civil litigation process
Prior to court proceedings being commenced, the first course of action is always to seek a resolution to the dispute, saving both time and money. There are a number of alternative dispute resolution methods which 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, but involve the stages of commencing proceedings, pleadings (where the dispute is described by the plaintiff and defended by the defendant), discovery (disclosure of documents by both sides), trial (where the judge will hear the testimony of witnesses and make a ruling in the dispute), settlement and appeal.
The particular court forms which need to be completed to commence a civil suit vary according to the type of dispute so its best to seek legal advice in regard to this.
How Alfred James & Co Solicitors can help
We are experienced dispute resolution lawyers and civil litigation specialists and have proven experience across a wide range of civil suits including:
- Commercial litigation
- Business litigation
- Employment litigation
- Unfair dismissal
- Divorce disputes
- Will disputes
- Debt recovery
- Building and property disputes
- Dividing fence disputes
- Breach of contract
- Breach of copyright
Contact us for more specific advice in relation to how our South Croydon Civil Dispute and Litigation lawyers can assist you settle your dispute.
OUR SERVICES & PRICING
Please click the link below to read our pricing structure and more about our Services:
Debt recovery (up to £100,000) – Pricing
As our fees often vary depending on each case, if you would like a quote for any other type of matter, please kindly give us a call to discuss our fees and how we can help you