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Difference between revisions of "I Am Being Sued — What Should I Expect?"

From Clicklaw Wikibooks
Defendant can question claimant and their witnesses as well as present their own case.
(Defendant can question claimant and their witnesses as well as present their own case.)
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=== What happens next ===
=== What happens next ===
In Small Claims Court, you will receive a Notice of Settlement Conference. A settlement conference is an opportunity for you and the claimant to meet with a judge to see if you can agree to resolve the claim. The judge at a settlement conference is only there to help the parties agree on a settlement. He or she cannot impose an agreement.
In Small Claims Court, you will receive a Notice of Settlement Conference. A Settlement Conference is an opportunity for you and the claimant to meet with a judge to see if you can agree to resolve the claim. The judge at a settlement conference is only there to help the parties agree on a settlement. He or she cannot impose an agreement on parties who are not able to reach agreement.


If the settlement conference doesn't resolve the case, you will be given a Notice of Trial. At trial, the claimant will present his or her case, and you will be given a chance to present your case. The trial judge will then decide who wins.
If the settlement conference doesn't resolve the case, you will be given a Notice of Trial. At Trial, the claimant will present his or her case, and you will be given a chance to question the claimant and their witnesses and to present your own case. The trial judge will then decide who wins.


{{Tipsbox
{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| width = 80%
| tips = Small Claims Court now offers ''mediation'' of many kinds of cases. If yours is one of these cases, a trained independent person will meet with you and the other parties in your case to see if you can agree on a way of resolving it. Ask someone at the court registry where you file your documents if there could be mediation in your case.
| tips = Small Claims Court now offers ''Mediation'' of many kinds of cases. If yours is one of these cases, a trained independent person will meet with you and the other parties in your case to see if you can agree on a way of resolving it. Ask someone at the court registry where you file your documents if there could be mediation in your case.
}}
}}