Recover money or enforce an agreement
We assess your claim, send a demand letter, and start a lawsuit if the other side will not resolve it. Most claims must be started within two years.
Respond before the deadline
If you have been served with a claim, the time to file a defence can be as short as 20 days. Do not ignore it; a judgment can be signed against you.
Disputes we handle
- Breach of contract
- Shareholder and partnership disputes
- Unpaid invoices and debt recovery
- Commercial lease disputes
- Wrongful and constructive dismissal
- Insurance coverage denials (property and fire)
- Real estate deals that failed to close
- Construction and renovation disputes
- Tax Court of Canada appeals and CRA objections
- Landlord and Tenant Board and Human Rights Tribunal
We do not act on personal injury claims.
Where your case may be heard
How a lawsuit usually unfolds
- Demand and negotiation. A clear demand letter resolves many disputes without court.
- Pleadings. The claim and defence set out each side's case.
- Exchange of evidence. Each side discloses documents and may question the other.
- Mediation or settlement. Most cases settle before trial, often at mediation.
- Trial or hearing. If the case does not settle, a judge decides.
Costs, explained plainly
In Ontario, the losing party is usually ordered to pay part of the winner's legal costs. That risk works both ways, so we discuss it at the start. We can work on an hourly basis or, for defined steps such as a demand letter or a Small Claims claim, a fixed fee. A well-timed written offer to settle can also shift costs in your favour.
Questions clients ask
How long do I have to start a lawsuit?
In Ontario, most claims must be started within two years of the day you discovered the claim (Limitations Act, 2002, s. 4). Some claims have shorter notice periods. Get advice early.
I was served with a claim. What should I do?
Note the date you were served and contact a lawyer right away. The deadline to respond can be as short as 20 days, and missing it can lead to a default judgment.
Should I use Small Claims Court?
For claims up to $50,000, Small Claims Court is usually faster and cheaper. See our Small Claims guide.
Can we settle without going to court?
Often, yes. Many disputes resolve through a demand letter, negotiation or mediation. We look for the fastest route to a fair result.