Setting up a business for long-term success often requires successful collaboration. Working with other business owners or parties can be challenging because everyone involved has to agree on a shared goal or be willing to compromise. When financial obligations are not met or there are disagreements over contract details, a dispute may occur. A business dispute that can’t be resolved may require the intervention of a lawyer. The stages of litigation can be full of nuances, so hiring a business litigation lawyer like one from Eric Siegel Law to handle your case is recommended.
If you are not sure what to expect from the litigation process, here are some of the main steps involved in a standard business litigation case.
Initial Consultation
At your initial consultation, you can discuss your situation with a lawyer and go over the basis of the conflict you are dealing with. You can explain the nature of the business dispute, which parties are involved, and how long it has been going on. If you brought any documents and records with you, you can bring them during this time so the lawyer can review them.
Negotiation With the Party
Before filing a lawsuit, you can work with a business litigation lawyer so they can advise you on alternatives to use before having to resort to litigation. They will see if there is any way to settle the dispute outside of court, such as through mediation or arbitration. They will attempt to contact the party and propose negotiations to avoid legal action. If they refuse to cooperate or agree to a compromise, then you can proceed with the lawsuit.
Discovery Phase
After the other party responds to the demand package you have sent, the discovery phase can begin. During discovery, you and the other party can exchange information about the argument you are planning to build. Both parties must be transparent and share all the evidence that they plan to submit for the case. This gives both parties the chance to be as prepared as possible, and prevents either party from presenting undisclosed evidence.
Trial Proceedings
During a trial, both parties present their evidence to a judge or jury, if one is present. After the arguments are made, the judge gives their verdict. They may order a certain action be made or demand that one party compensate the other.
Finding resolutions to business disputes is not always straightforward and easy to achieve. Schedule a case evaluation with a seasoned business litigation lawyer if you need legal assistance.