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Difference between revisions of "I Need to Take Someone to Court — What's the Process?"

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=== Small Claims Court ===
=== Small Claims Court ===
The defendant will need to file a <span class="noglossary">Reply</span> and provide you with a copy. You and the defendant will then receive a Notice of Settlement Conference. A settlement conference is an opportunity for you and the defendant to meet with a judge to see if you can agree to resolve the claim. The judge at a settlement conference is only there to help see if the parties can agree on a settlement. He or she cannot impose an agreement.
The defendant will need to file a Reply and they or the Registry will provide you with a copy. You and the defendant will then receive a Notice of Settlement Conference.
A settlement conference is an opportunity for you and the defendant to meet with a judge to see if you can agree to resolve the claim. The judge at a settlement conference is only there to help see if the parties can agree on a settlement. He or she cannot impose an agreement.  


If the settlement conference doesn't resolve the case, you will be given a Notice of Trial. At trial, you will present your case, and the defendant will be given a chance to present his or her case. The trial judge will then decide who wins.
If the settlement conference doesn't resolve the case, you will be given a Notice of Trial. At trial, you will present your case, and the defendant will be given a chance to present his or her case. The trial judge will then decide who wins.


Small Claims Court now offers ''mediation'' in certain kinds of cases. If yours is one of these cases, a trained independent person will meet with you and the other parties in your case to see if you can agree on a way of resolving it. Ask someone at the court registry where you file your documents if mediation is available in your case.  
Small Claims Court now offers ''mediation'' in certain kinds of cases. If yours is one of these cases, a trained independent person will meet with you and the other parties in your case to see if you can agree on a way of resolving it. Ask someone at the court registry where you file your documents if mediation is available in your case.


=== Supreme Court ===
=== Supreme Court ===