Brookline, Massachusetts Civil Procedures

Find the right Litigation attorney in Brookline, MA

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

Litigation Lawyers in Brookline

"Civil procedure" refers to the wide variety of rules that regulate the process of civil litigation in Brookline, Massachusetts. It does not deal with the substantive rights that the litigation system is meant to safeguard, just the process by which it protects them.

Like all laws, the rules of civil procedure in Brookline, Massachusetts reflect particular values that society, through its elected representatives, wants to encourage. So, the rules of civil procedure have the stated goal of ensuring that the justice system is fair, cost effective, efficient, and accessible to everyone who has a legitimate legal grievance.

Brookline, Massachusetts's civil procedure rules can get pretty difficult, however. They control every aspect of a civil action, from the filing of the complaint, to discovery, and all the way through trial and appeals.

Major Brookline, Massachusetts Civil Procedure Issues

Complaint: The initial, and perhaps most significant, part of filing a lawsuit in Brookline, Massachusetts is the complaint. The complaint is filed with the court in Brookline, Massachusetts that's responsible for handling civil trials. It lists everything that the plaintiff (the person who is suing) alleges against the defendant (the person the plaintiff is suing). Normally, but not always, the end of the complaint will contain a "prayer for relief." The prayer for relief is just a statement of what the plaintiff is asking the court to do to remedy the harm that the defendant allegedly caused.

Answer: Once the complaint is filed, the ball is in the defendant's court, so to speak. In the answer, the defendant has an chance to respond to all of the factual allegations made by the plaintiff, normally by denying them. The defendant might also raise affirmative defenses, which could keep the defendant from being held liable. For instance, if the defendant is accused of battery, and he did, in fact, batter the plaintiff, he might admit to that fact, but claim that the plaintiff was the aggressor, and he acted purely in self-defense. If he can show that he acted in self-defense, he likely will not be held liable.

Discovery: Once the complaint and answer have been filed in a Brookline, Massachusetts court, the next major civil procedure issue comes up. Discovery is the procedure in which both sides of the lawsuit are obligated to disclose obligated evidence to one another. The lawyers for each side can submit written questions, which the other party is required to answer under oath, unless the information is privileged. Each side can also request any relevant documents, physical evidence, and can conduct depositions of witnesses and parties to the lawsuit.

Trial: In Brookline, Massachusetts, it's really very 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 Brookline are particularly meant to encourage early resolution of legal disputes, without resorting to a costly and time-consuming trial. Nonetheless, 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 acquired 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 Brookline, Massachusetts Lawyer Help?

If you're suing anyone, or are being sued, in Brookline, Massachusetts, dealing with issues of civil procedure is going to be a fact of life for quite some time.

Civil Procedure in Brookline, Massachusetts can be pretty difficult. It's always a good idea to have a lawyer who can advise you on how best to deal with these civil procedure issues.

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Brookline

Brown Deer is a village in Milwaukee County and was formerly a part of the town of Granville. Brown Deer officially incorporated on January 20, 1955 and is home to 13,000 Wisconsin residents. The village covers a total of 4.4 square miles and plays host to a large population of Caucasians and African-Americans over half of whom are married. The village is one of only two municipalities in Wisconsin that retains an African American population greater than 10%. and also plays host to a number of lawyers. Brown deer lawyers are familiar with local courts and procedures and use their experience when advising clients on the best course of action for their case.  

Brown Deer is popular among families because of it's great schools which include Deen Elementary School, Brown Deer Middle School, and Brown Deer High School. Formerly, Algonquin Elementary School was open on North 47th Street but closed because it could not compete with the newer Deen Elementary School. Brown Deer residents enjoy access to many nearby parks and shopping centers that also attract visitors from neighboring counties. Brown Deer also has an outstanding kids sports program for residents that offers baseball, soccer, and basketball among other sports.

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