Litigation in Canada
Overview
Businesses and individuals considering or responding to litigation in Canada benefit from an experienced legal team that understands not only the intricacies of Canadian law, but also the nuances of navigating the Canadian court system. From our offices in Toronto and Windsor, Dickinson Wright’s litigators serve Canadian and U.S. clients across a variety of industries. Backed by more than a century of experience, our team works seamlessly across borders, providing litigation risk analysis and advocacy to help clients mitigate risk and achieve their goals.
We understand that litigation can be costly and time-consuming and may not always be in a client’s best interest. We proactively address issues and help domestic and cross-border clients establish effective risk-avoidance strategies. When action is necessary, our clients benefit from our practical and efficient approach to litigating disputes in Canada.
Our Team
Members of our Canadian Litigation practice have appeared before all levels of provincial and federal courts, regulatory tribunals, and the Supreme Court of Canada. They are regularly recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada®, Chambers Canada®, Chambers Global®, Canadian Lexpert®, and other leading legal publications.
Our Services
From automotive, banking and finance, and entertainment to franchising, gaming, and real estate, we assemble litigation teams across multiple markets to address each client’s specific needs. Our key litigation services in Canada include:
Our Canada-U.S. Cross Border lawyers eliminate the traditional challenge faced by cross-border companies that need to retain multiple legal service providers in Canada and the U.S. and then coordinate various—and often conflicting—sets of advice. Our unified representation reflects our clients’ cross-border operations and provides a single point of analysis for their legal and regulatory issues.
Canada and U.S. Litigation Differences
When considering whether to litigate in Canada, U.S. clients should be aware of the differences between litigation in the two countries. Among the most significant are the rules governing pretrial discovery and legal costs. Unlike in the United States, where litigants generally have broad powers to obtain oral and documentary evidence, the pretrial discovery process in most Canadian jurisdictions is more restricted. The cost of litigation in Canada may also be lower than in the United States because of differences in the procedural rules governing litigation.
