Kitson Law-Civil Cases
By: Courtney Kitson (Module 7-Lesson2)
Introduction
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
*This next step in a civil case can have different options and routes. The first option is a mediation. A mediation is when a third party (the mediator) helps the plaintiff and I reach an agreement. If we reach an agreement (get a settlement), then we won't go to trial. If we do not reach an agreement then we will proceed to trial. A trial is a formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide who is guilty in a civil court case.
*The second option we could do is could go to an arbitration. An arbitration is a situation in which a thirds party listens to the plaintiff's attorney and I, he/she will review the case and make a final decision that is binding for both parties (theirs and ours). After the arbitration, we cannot go to trial, it is done.
*The third option is to directly proceed to a trial. The first step of the trial process would be a pre-trial discussion/conference. A pre-trial conference is when the judge meets both parties to help clarify differences and prepare for the trial.
Step 4-Trial
Step 5-Verdict
The verdict is the decision in a court made by a judge or jury. If we lose the case then we will likely have to pay money to the plaintiff, but if we win the plaintiff will get nothing and will be stuck with paying the court costs in some cases.
If we lose and we think that something went wrong in the handling of the case by the court or jury, then we can appeal the decision to a higher court.