Civil litigation is a legal dispute between two or more persons or businesses. This type of litigation is non-criminal, meaning neither person, or business, faces jail time. Instead, a person or business is seeking money or specific performance. Civil litigation can include trials, hearings, arbitrations and mediations before administrative agencies, judges, federal, state, and local courts.

Civil litigation begins when a person or business, called the Plaintiff, makes a claim they have been harmed by the actions of another person or business, called the Defendant.  The Plaintiff can begin the case in many ways, such as hiring an attorney to negotiate or mediate the case, sending a demand letter or filing a “complaint” with the Court. The Plaintiff’s complaint will provide facts, legal theories and the relief the Plaintiff is seeking. Some Civil litigation cases are settled when the Plaintiff and Defendant are able to agree on a settlement or the case is dismissed.  If an agreement cannot be reached, a judge or jury will listen to the facts and make a final judgment.

No matter what stage of Civil litigation you are facing, pre-filing, pleading, discovery, pre-trial, trial, or post-trial stage, each can seem confusing and overwhelming if you are not familiar with the words, rules, and laws. The right Civil litigation lawyer can assist you with understanding and navigate you to the best possible resolution and outcome.