interpreters, language and disability access.giving the other side copies of your evidence (this is called discovery or disclosure).getting a document witnessed or certified.making affidavits and statutory declarations.serving the other party (giving them copies of the documents you have filed in court).giving your documents to the court (this is called filing your documents).
If a case goes to court, the plaintiff must prove their case to the ‘balance of probabilities’ to be successful. A judge often helps parties come to an agreement at a settlement conference. The case is often called a proceeding.Įven after a civil claim has been filed in court, many civil claims are resolved before they get to a hearing in a court room because the parties reach an agreement between themselves. The person who the claim is against is called the defendant. Once a claim is filed in court, the person who made the claim is known as the plaintiff. You can make a claim after you’ve tried other ways to sort out a dispute but haven’t been successful.įind out more about resolving a dispute without going to court Deciding who will speak for you in courtĪ civil claim involves formal legal action in a court against a person or organisation.