February, 2010 - Civil Litigation Update
Bougadis Chang E-Newsletter Winter 2010 PDF Format
Ontario Changes the Rules Governing Civil Lawsuits
Very recently, there have been significant changes to Ontario’s rules governing civil lawsuits. These changes are designed to provide greater access to Courts and also to speed up lawsuits to allow people to resolve their litigation faster.
Greater Access to Courts – Without Hiring a Lawyer. Ontario’s Small Claims Courts can now deal with civil lawsuit seeking up to $25,000 in damages. Previously, the limit was $10,000 in claims for damages.
This is a positive and significant change, which should allow more people to represent themselves in Court, without hiring a lawyer.
You can read further about information on Ontario’s Small Claims Court and how to conduct lawsuits therein.
Faster Lawsuits and Early Resolution of Disputes. There have been a variety of changes here governing civil lawsuits which seek greater than $25,000 in damages.
Background information to these changes can be found in our March 11, 2009 blog and January 25, 2010 blog.
Bougadis, Chang LLP – Quick Update
2009 was a successful and busy year for the Firm and we thank our clients and supporters for 10 wonderful years thus far.
We moved to our new location in the heart of downtown Toronto at 55 Adelaide Street East (near Yonge St.) in the Summer, 2009.
We continued our active participation in the community and on legal association groups, during which time we were involved in meetings with the Attorney General of Ontario, the Consul General of Greece in Toronto and a visiting group of Judges and administrators from the Shaanxi Province in China.
We also continue to contribute to our local newspapers, as well as introducing our website blog in English, Chinese, Greek and Punjabi.
Stay tuned to our blogs for the latest legal developments affecting personal injury and insurance lawsuits.