Elgin, Illinois Civil Procedures

Find the right Litigation attorney in Elgin, IL

  • /10
  • Client Overall
    Satisfaction Rate*
*TrustPilot score as of 010118

Litigation Lawyers in Elgin

In Elgin, Illinois, "civil procedure" refers to the varied processes and procedures that must be followed when conducting a civil lawsuit.

Elgin, Illinois's government strives to make the civil justice system fair, efficient, and accessible. The rules of civil procedure are designed to advocate those goals, to the greatest extent possible.

In Elgin, Illinois, civil litigation is often extremely intricate. So, it shouldn't be a surprise that the rules of civil procedure can also be fairly confusing. After all, they govern everything from the first document filed by the plaintiff, to the last ruling issued by an appeals court.

Major Elgin, Illinois Civil Procedure Issues

Complaint: When somebody believes that they have suffered a legal wrong in Elgin, Illinois, and decide to file a lawsuit, the first document that they file with the court is typically the complaint. The complaint is very important, because it can frame the factual and legal issues, and set the tone, for the rest of the process. The complaint normally contains every factual allegation against the defendant that forms the basis of the plaintiff's lawsuit. It also contains a prayer for relief, in which the plaintiff lays out his or her desired remedies, if the court finds the defendant liable.

Answer: For the defendant, the answer is typically the first document they file in a lawsuit. As the name suggests, it "answers" the plaintiff's complaint. The answer normally denies most, or all, of the allegations made by the plaintiff. If the allegations are factually correct, and the defendant knows this, the defendant might admit that the allegations are true, but because of extenuating circumstances, they should not be held liable. For example, in a lawsuit for battery, a defendant might admit that they did strike the plaintiff, but claim that they were acting in self-defense, which would negate or weaken the plaintiff's case.

Discovery: The civil procedure rules in Elgin, Illinois were written with the purpose of, among other things, avoiding surprises. For that reason, everyone engaged in a lawsuit goes into trial with a pretty good idea of what evidence the other side has. This is largely because of the discovery process, during which the attorneys for both sides are required to disclose (with some exemptions) all information relevant to the trial which they have in their possession. These disclosures come in multiple forms, such as simply sending boxes of documents, deposing witnesses, or submitting written questions to the other side, which the recipient is obligated to answer under oath.

Trial: In Elgin, Illinois, it's truly extremely rare for civil lawsuits to go to trial. Of all the lawsuits that are filed, only a tiny minority make it to trial. The majority are either dismissed, or settled. This is by design: the civil procedure rules in Elgin are specifically meant to encourage early resolution of legal disputes, without resorting to a costly and time-consuming trial. However, when a case does go to trial, it is for the purpose of a jury resolving all of the factual disputes between the parties. Each side will present evidence obtained through the discovery process, call witnesses, and make arguments on behalf of their position. Once the jury reaches a verdict (a finding of fact), the judge enters a judgment on the verdict.

How Can a Elgin, Illinois Lawyer Help?

If you are facing a legal issue of any kind in Elgin, Illinois, you are going to confront civil procedure issues.

It should go without saying that you should have an Elgin, Illinois attorney on hand to deal with any civil procedure issues that you're almost certain to face, if you're engaged in a lawsuit.

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Elgin

Elgin is located in the northern part of Illinois, northwest of Chicago and along the Fox River. The city is home to about a little over 108.000 people.

Elgin is known for its architecture. It has many landmarks inspired by the Victorian era. These landmarks include the Elgin Public Museum, which is the oldest building in Illinois.

Other popular attractions include the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, the Elgin Choral Union, the Cook County Forest Preserves, the Bluff Spring Fen, Northwest Tollway, and Trout Park.

Elgin also is home to many attorneys who practice law with enthusiasm and devotion to excellence. Therefore, Elgin residents have no reason to worry because their legal needs can be easily taken care of.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Howard B.
Howard B.

Business - Litigation

Rye Brook, NY

Mark B.
Mark B.

Business - Litigation

Roseland, NJ

David A.
David A.

Business - Litigation

Walnut Creek, CA