Litigation in Jefferson County, TX, can involve either criminal or non-criminal disputes. The latter falls under the category of “civil litigation,” which itself is a broad topic. In this article, we will describe the distinct difference between civil and commercial litigation.
Civil Litigation
Civil litigation is a type of lawsuit where two parties attempt to enforce or defend a legal right, where the plaintiff’s primary objective is to receive monetary compensation from the defendant. Criminal charges are not at issue. The vast majority of cases that go through the courts are civil litigation.
There is a process that guides civil litigation. The steps include: hiring a litigation attorney, conducting investigations and find finding applicable laws, negotiating a settlement, filing the suit, and trying it before a judge.
Commercial Litigation
Commercial litigation is similar to its civil counterpart with a distinct difference: a business or company is involved. The defendant or plaintiff (or both parties) can be corporate entities. As a result, the issues involved are more involved and complex.
Commercial suits are often filed in federal court as opposed to state court. The proceedings may take years to resolve, which also makes them more expensive. On top of that, there are many types of commercial litigation, meaning the laws and characteristics of the cases will vary. Some examples of commercial litigation include, but are not limited to:
- Antitrust
- Breach of Contract
- Fraud and Misrepresentation
- Employment and Labor
- Tax Disputes
Given the nuance within commercial lawsuits, it is highly recommended to hire litigation attorneys who are well-versed in dealing with businesses. Before going up against a company in the courts, you should consider your options carefully.