Everything You Need to Know about General Litigation
Often, people who have suffered harm at the hands of others wonder if they can take legal action to obtain justice and compensation. However, the law can be confusing and you might have a tough time determining as to which category your case falls under.
Neither party may be able to negotiate an agreement, leading to disagreements over how much money is owed to another person.
If you’re in this kind of situation, speaking with an experienced general litigation attorney can be beneficial.
In other words, you can take the help of a general civil litigation attorney to be sure of what type of legal case you have. They’ll hear you out, do their research, and give you the best advice to move forward.
If you’re wondering what civil litigation is, it involves claims relate to civil cases involving personal injury, family law, probate, and more. These cases are brought against another party to ensure they carry out their legal duty as mandated by law.
General civil litigation cases are handled by trained general civil litigation attorneys. They represent their client throughout the legal proceedings and help them navigate the processes.
Let’s find out more about the important aspect of general litigation.
What is General Civil Litigation?
Civil litigation refers to the process of resolving disagreements between different parties through the legal system. It does not, however, include criminal cases. It leans more towards legal conflicts wherein two or more parties are contending over matters related to financial compensation or specific performance.
Contracts, torts, and property disputes make up the three main categories of civil litigation. Contracts are used to settle disagreements between parties, whereas tort litigation is used to settle conflicts between parties that have been harmed by another party. Property disputes are settled through litigation.
A general civil litigation attorney may use various legal procedures in civil litigation matters. The stages involved in such cases include:
- Investigation: In this stage, both parties find proof, like forensic evidence, medical records, and informal witness interviews, to support their claims.
- Pleadings: The formal documents submitted in a civil litigation case are called pleadings.
- Discovery: Both parties can obtain case-related information from each other.
- Pre-Trial: Meetings (and negotiations) between the attorneys for each party may be arranged and a settlement may be reached.
- Trial: Both sides argue their case before the judge or jury.
- Settlement: During this stage, a sum of money is paid by the losing party to the prevailing party.
- Appeal: If either party is displeased with the result of the trial, they may appeal to a higher court.
As you can see, civil litigation cases can be time-consuming and complicated. It’s, therefore, best to retain a proven general litigation lawyer to represent you and protect your best interest in court.
What Types of Cases Does Civil Litigation Involve?
As mentioned, civil litigation does not include cases involving criminal matters. It does, however, include other disputes that directly impact many legal matters. Civil litigation typically involves matters related to:
- Medical malpractice
- Products liability
- Workers’ compensation
- Disputes between landlords and tenants
- Environmental law
- Family law
- Real estate disputes
- Employment and labor laws
- Intellectual property disputes
- Education Law
- Immigration disputes
- Anti-trust laws
Most civil lawyers focus specifically on any one of these practice areas. However, some lawyers might also handle multiple practice areas.
If you’re dealing with any of the above matters, working with a qualified general litigation attorney will significantly improve your chances of maximizing the compensation owed to you by the at-fault party.
Who is a Civil Litigator?
A civil litigator is a general civil litigation attorney who handles conflicts where one party/entity has demanded payment from another party/entity to cover for their losses and damages.
Civil disputes usually revolve around individuals, interpersonal relationships, and property matters. They’re different from criminal cases.
Criminal defense attorneys represent individuals who have committed offenses against the public, state or society. By contrast, general litigation lawyers deal with cases where individuals have committed a wrongful act within society.
To be successful, a general litigation attorney should have superior interpersonal skills to make conflict resolution as smooth as possible. They should be able to analyze complicated facts and leverage their knowledge of the law to achieve the best possible result.
What Does a General Civil Litigation Attorney Do?
A general litigation attorney represents individuals, organizations, and governmental agencies, and provides them with legal guidance and maneuvers in civil cases.
Your general litigation lawyer will represent you during arbitration, depositions, mediations, trials, and other kinds of court proceedings. They’ll help you by:
- Investigating information related to your case
- Conducting research on applicable laws
- Filing motions
- Drafting legal paperwork
- Partaking in depositions
- Negotiating settlements
- Making a court appearance on your behalf
General civil litigation attorneys take on cases where a definite agreement cannot be reached, and people need legal counsel in non-criminal areas like real estate deals, tax law, estate planning, and so on.
How Can a General Litigation Attorney Help You?
Needless to say, having a general litigation lawyer in your corner will make it easier for you to deal with complex legal procedures.
They’ll work to protect your rights and support you through the entire legal process. Whether you want to settle out of court or take your case to trial, they’ll uphold your best interests.
An experienced general civil litigation attorney will offer you a sympathetic ear and make you feel at ease. When things get difficult, they’ll be by your side, handle all the legal formalities, and help you seek justice and fair compensation.
Most importantly, a qualified general litigation lawyer will evaluate the strengths of your claim and create the best possible roadmap to achieve positive results. They’ll also help you decide whether you should settle or take your case to trial.
Consult Our Seasoned General Civil Litigation Attorney Today
At Henriksen & Henriksen, we strive to provide everyone with access to experienced legal counsel when they need it most. Our Utah attorney for general litigation routinely handles cases that fit into this “catch-all” category.
We have ample experience in managing the complicated steps and procedures involved in pursuing legal claims. We’ll do the research, drafting, contacting, and negotiating, and work diligently to settle your case as efficiently as possible. If necessary, we’ll take the case to trial and fight to secure a positive outcome.
Reach us at (801) 521-4145 or schedule a free consultation through our convenient appointment calendar today.