Litigation Lawyers in Utica

Commercial Litigation in Utica, Michigan is civil litigation that arises out of a business transaction, or some other disagreement between two businesses, or between a business and a customer. It can appear out of nowhere, and arise out of almost any business issue.

In Utica, Michigan, you should expect any form of commercial litigation to be expensive and difficult. While large and sophisticated companies are well-equipped to deal with civil litigation, and are often the ones facing it, civil litigation in Utica, Michigan can also arise between those who are not nearly as accustomed to handling it, such as individuals and small businesses.

Common Sources of Commercial Litigation in Utica, Michigan

Commercial Leases: Despite the rise of the Internet, and e-commerce, most businesses in Utica, Michigan still need a physical location to operate. This space is normally rented from another party, under terms laid out in a commercial lease. These leases can lead to disputes, if one party breaks them, such as by failing to pay rent on time, failure to provide access to the property under the agreed-upon terms, etc.

Sales of Real Estate: Whether you're buying a house, an office building, or a vacant lot in Utica, Michigan, there are plenty of things that can go awry in the process. For example, the seller might fail to disclose an easement on the property, or a physical defect, which you only discover after the sale is final. Or, if you're the seller, the buyer might fail to pay on time. Such mishaps are almost certain to cause a dispute, and if the parties cannot resolve it amongst themselves, commercial litigation might be the only option.

Sale of Goods: It's far more frequent for individuals to buy personal property, rather than real estate, in Utica, Michigan. And, like any transaction, the sale of goods can lead to civil litigation if one of the parties feels that the other did not perform under the agreed-upon terms. For example, if a buyer fails to pay the agreed price for the goods, or the seller delivers a late, defective, or incomplete order, there is going to be a disagreement. In some cases, these disputes lead to commercial litigation.

Business Loans: When someone starts a small business in Utica, Michigan, they normally don't have the money to fund its start-up and first few years of operation. So, the first step is often getting a loan from a bank. However, if the business fails, and the borrower can't make payments, or the lender engages in some type of unlawful conduct, the aggrieved party is going to seek redress. In some cases, the parties will have to resort to civil litigation to resolve their disagreement.

Breach of Contract: In Utica, Michigan, contract law is simple in principle: when someone agrees to exchange value for value (a product in exchange for money, for example), they have entered into a contract, which is a legally-binding agreement. A contract requires at least two parties, and if either of them fails to do what is required of them under the contract, they are said to be in "breach" of the contract. If they do not remedy the situation, or the other party does not waive the requirement, a disagreement is likely, which might lead to commercial litigation.

How Can a Utica, Michigan Commercial Litigation Lawyer Help?

If you run a business in Utica, Michigan, it should be clear by now that commercial litigation can arise in many different instances, possibly when you least expect it. For that reason, it's a good idea to have plans in place to deal with commercial litigation contentions, should they come up.

And the best thing you can do on that front is to take steps to minimize the chances of disputes leading to commercial litigation in the first place. Commercial lawyers in Utica, Michigan can be very valuable with that. By advising you of your legal rights and obligations, your attorney can help you avoid making the mistakes that lead to legal disputes in the first place.