Civil litigation is used to resolve disputes between individuals, companies and organizations where one of the parties feels they should be awarded compensation. Typical examples might include an auto accident, all types of contracts, deeds and claims, real estate, construction and malpractice.
Civil litigation is almost by definition an adversarial process. If you find yourself embroiled in a dispute but don’t feel comfortable with conflict, then the obvious stress-reliever is to involve an experienced attorney—someone who is capable of dispassionately putting forth your case.
You definitely want an experienced litigator on your side when you have to go to a trial or hearing, or when you become involved in an arbitration to determine who will be responsible for money damages or some specific performance. (Specific performance is a term used when a monetary settlement is inadequate; for example, when a piece of land is involved.)
It’s good to know what you’re getting into before you make a commitment; some disputes can be solved quickly with a simple phone call; others may take years. Once the situation is reviewed in some detail, the attorney can make a determination as to how long and how complex the litigation might be and what are the chances of success. That’s why it is imperative to seek legal counsel as early in the dispute as possible; advice heeded in a timely manner can pay big dividends in the long run.
