Civil Litigation Toronto

Civil cases can be complex and usually involve various steps. At its most basic, civil litigation is the area of law that covers private lawsuits – cases in which an individual or a corporation sues another party because of a disagreement over a legal matter. These legal matters can range from contractual disputes to disputes over the ownership of property, and other disputes. Generally, there are three main stages to any civil lawsuit: the pleadings stage, the discovery stage, and the trial stage.

During the trial, the party who has initiated the lawsuit or filed a Statement of Claim – also known as the “plaintiff” – presents the facts or evidence to support the case made against the other party – the “defendant”. In a civil suit, the plaintiff must prove that it is probable that the defendant is legally responsible, or “liable” for the damage caused.

The most common remedy in a civil suit is monetary in nature and is knows as damages however, sometimes injunctive relief or declarations can be sought.

Because civil cases are mostly decided on a balance of probabilities, strategy is an important aspect of civil litigations. This’s why it is so important to obtain legal counsel with many years of experience. At Costa Law we have some of the most experienced civil lawyers in Toronto who can help you achieve the desired result.

Contract & Collections

Contract law is the branch of jurisprudence that addresses the rights and obligations of parties entering into contracts. Canadian contract law is rooted in the English common law tradition and principles of equity. Parties must have the intention to enter into a legal relationship and be capable to contract with one-another through three main elements – offer, acceptance and consideration. Our attorneys can assist you in drafting and negotiating various contracts, as well as ensuring that your rights and interests are protected.

Corporate Disputes

Landlord and Tenant Disputes (Residential & Commercial)
Our lawyers and paralegals have unmatched expertise in Landlord-Tenant Disputes, and have argued at many Landlord and Tenant Board hearings. Our team can help you understand your rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), and resolve any landlord-tenant issues such as non-payment of rent, damage to property, and eviction proceedings.

At Costa Law our civil lawyers can assist you in resolving disagreements without going to trial – through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The increase of the caseload in courts, and the relatively cheap cost of ADR have contributed to its rising popularity. ADR is especially popular if the parties wish to resolve the dispute confidentially, or wish to have greater control over the selection of the individual or individuals who will decide the outcome of the dispute – such as a mediator. Others wish to mend or maintain existing relationships and prefer to negotiate, rather than go to court.