Chapter 2: Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Flashcards
Litigation
The system of resolving disputes in court.
Do many cases go to court?
No, very few do.
Can a non-citizen be involved in Canadian litigation?
Yes.
Can a mentally incapacitated person be involved in Canadian litigation?
Only if they use a court-appointed representative.
Can a child be involved in Canadian litigation?
Only if they are represented by a parent or litigation guardian.
What is the exception to the rule that unincorporated organizations cannot sue or be sued?
Trade unions.
Special rules apply when the ___ is sued.
Crown.
What rules apply when the Crown is being sued?
You cannot sue the Crown unless the Crown permits it.
Class Action
Allows a single person, or a small group of people, to sue on behalf of a larger group of claimants.
What are some common class action claims?
- Product liability (prescription drugs).
- Mass torts (contaminated water).
- Workplace discrimination.
- Clubs and churches (sexual abuse of children).
- Banking law (improper fees).
- Business law (price fixing).
- Company law (misleading information).
- Securities law (insider trading).
What is the attraction of class action lawsuits?
- Allow small individuals to take on organizations.
- Threat may prevent wrong from occurring in first place.
- Class actions save society money, as each claim is not dealt with individually.
What are the 5 things required for a class action?
- Common issues.
- Representative plaintiff.
- Notification.
- Preferable procedure.
- Certification.
Common Issues
Indicates that class action lawsuits must have a common issue between the various members of the class.
Do all members of a class have to be identical?
No, special conditions can be set up.
Representative Plaintiff
A plaintiff muts demonstrate a workable plan for fairly representing all plaintiffs.
Notification
A class action lawsuit concept where the representative plaintiff must notify all potential members of a class.
A class action includes all members of a class who have opted in. True or false?
False, they include all members of a class who have not opted out.
Preferable Procedure
A class action lawsuit concept that says that the court must be convinced that the class action lawsuit is the preferable procedure for dealing with the claims.
Certification
The court’s decision to allow the various claims to be joined together and proceed as a class action.
What is the most important part of a class action lawsuit?
Certification.
Conversations with your lawyer are ___ and ___.
Confidential and privileged.
Professional Liability Insurance
A client to receive compensation from a lawyer’s insurance company if the lawyer has acted carelessly.
Assurance
Fund that provides compensation to people who have been hurt by dishonest lawyers.
Paralegal
Not a lawyer, but provides legal advice and services.
Pleadings
The documents used to identify the issues and clarify the nature of the dispute.
Plaintiff
The person who is making the complaint.
Defendant
The person about whom the complaint is being made.
Limitation Period
A period of time within which an action must be started.
Statement of Claim
A document in which the plaintiff outlines the nature of the complaint.
Statement of Defence
A document in which the defendant sets out in its version of the facts and indicates how it intends to deny the claim.
Counterclaim
A claim that the defendant makes against the plaintiff.
Reply
A document in which a party responds to a statement of defence.
Demand for Particulars
Requires the other side to provide additional information.
Examinations for Discovery
A process in which the parties ask each other to obtain information about their case.
Settlement
Occurs when the parties agree to resolve their dispute out of court.
Pre-Trial Conference
A meeting that occurs between the parties and a judge.
Mediation
A process in which a neutral person – called a mediator – helps the parties reach an agreement.
Evidence
Consists of the information that is provided in support of an argument.
Hearsay Evidence
Information that a witness heard from another person, rather than directly from the source.
Judgement Debtor
A defendant who has been found liable and ordered to pay money to the plaintiff.
Can information uncovered during an examination for discovery be used in court?
Since it is under oath, yes.
What percentage of claims are resolved outside of court?
Over 95%.
True or false? You can have a jury in civil litigation.
False.
Ordinary Witnesses
Testify about facts they know first-hand.
Expert Witnesses
Provide information and opinions based on evidence.
Examination-In-Chief
Party that calls witness.
Cross-Examination
Opportunity for the opposing party to vigorously question the same witness.