How a Virtual Meeting With a Lawyer Can Help Your Small Claims Suit

Filing a small claims suit can be an unpleasant experience. Not only are you dealing with a stressful situation, but you also need to ensure you’re taking the right steps to win the case. Thankfully, there’s a way to ensure the process runs smoothly even in times of social restrictions.

If you’re considering a virtual meeting with a lawyer for your small claims suit, you’re on the right path. This article shares how doing so can help.

How Do Small Claims Suits Work?

According to Ontario law, you can sue a person or business in the Small Claims Court for damages of $35,000 or less. If the amount tops $35,000, the Superior Court of Justice takes over. However, you can still go to the Small Claims Court if the number is higher, but you want to waive what’s over $35,000.

You can sue someone at a Small Claims Court for:

Unpaid loans
Services or goods you sold that weren’t paid for
Unpaid rent
Property damage
Personal injuries
Contract breach

Although, you may already know that lawyers aren’t allowed to accompany their clients to small claims court. In general, some people won’t even hire a lawyer to help them file such a suit. In truth, this practice isn’t really cost-effective.

However, if you’re insecure about the whole procedure and you feel like you could use professional advice, it’s worth considering a virtual meeting with a lawyer. By scheduling one, you can prepare for the process and be fully aware of your rights.

Benefits of Virtual Meetings

Digital technology has changed the way businesses operate, and law firms are no exception. Many modern lawyers and firms now leverage tools built to streamline face-to-face meetings. This way, the time and effort spent on communication and travel are minimized.

One of the greatest benefits of virtual meetings is communication with clients. It’s never been easier to communicate with your lawyer directly. All you need to do is open a Zoom link, and your one-on-one meeting with a lawyer can start. Also, video conferences have specific advantages in terms of confidentiality. This is something lawyers typically require.

Virtual meetings with a lawyer allow participants to set a schedule and keep each other informed of the process development quickly and easily. For example, a virtual meeting can help you get acquainted with the updates in your case or whether you need to do something differently.

Finally, virtual meetings follow the same rules as regular, in-person meetings. This means your privacy is fully protected. Also, you can schedule an appointment at a time that’s convenient for you, and you can ask or mention anything you want that’s related to the case, all from the comfort of your home.

How a Virtual Meeting With a Lawyer Can Help

As you may already know, the Small Claims Court comes with plenty of rules, forms, and procedures you should understand to navigate your claim successfully. If you’ve never filed a small claims suit against someone, you may be confused about the exact steps you need to take.

Although not complicated, the process needs you to focus on the details. To start a small claims suit against someone, you need to issue a Plaintiff’s Claim, known as a Form 7A. This claim requires a document that should include all the details about your suit. You’ll want to be extra cautious about your wording, as this may be your only chance to defend your cause. However, if you have trouble filling out this form, setting up a virtual meeting with a lawyer can help.

Also, a virtual meeting with a lawyer is the perfect opportunity for you to learn what exactly you need to do and discover this from the comfort of your home.

Overview of how a lawyer can help your small claims suit

They can explore avenues to provide you with a pre-litigation resolution.
Issue a claim if things can’t be resolved pre-litigation. They can help you set the tone with a compelling and concise claim that lays out the issues in dispute. Your small claim must be properly drafted. Judges, litigants, and counsel will read it and build a first impression of the claim.
If the issue isn’t solved right away, you may have to attend a settlement conference, where you and the defendant meet in front of the judge. However, you want to rely on lawyer support if you need any help negotiating your way out.
If you received an order in a small claims court but still can’t obtain payment from the defendant, you can get help from a virtual lawyer. They will offer advice on wage garnishments, registrations against property, and more.

Win Your Small Claims Suit With a Lawyer

Regardless, thanks to technological innovations, it’s never been easier to meet up with a lawyer. Whether their service is necessary to your small claims suit or not, it won’t hurt to schedule a virtual meeting to help the process run smoothly.

No Comments