
A business dispute can be seriously disruptive to your company’s operations and bottom line. One of the first questions you might have if you’re facing litigation is how long your case will take to resolve. Importantly, every commercial case is unique and involves a different set of facts and circumstances. There is no specific timeline that can be applied to business dispute litigation — cases may be resolved in as little as a few months or they might take years, depending upon the complexity of the issue. However, there is a certain legal process that is followed for every matter.
It is not possible to give a precise timeline when it comes to commercial litigation. The litigated business dispute timeline can depend upon many factors, including the parties’ willingness to mediate, discuss settlement, and resolve the matter outside of court. Other factors that can impact how long business dispute litigation might take can include the following:
When something goes wrong during the course of doing business or a transaction does not go as planned, it’s essential to tackle the matter early on. In the event both sides begin settlement talks as soon as possible, the litigation process might only take a few months if an agreement can be reached. But when a business dispute involves a large quantity of evidence and requires multiple appearances in court, a case can go on for years.
There are a wide variety of conflicts a business owner can face. These can include breaches of contract or fiduciary duty, partnership disputes, misrepresentation, non-solicitation matters, deceptive trade cases, fraud, and more. Although the issue in each case might be different, the business dispute litigation process typically follows the same structure for every type of dispute.
Generally, an attorney will first investigate the facts involved with a commercial case. Once they have heard your position and reviewed any relevant documents, they can make a determination regarding whether litigation is the best course of action to pursue. Business dispute litigation usually follows the following sequence:
Sometimes, a business contract might specify that mediation or arbitration must be attempted to settle a dispute before a lawsuit is commenced. Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution that can sometimes be used to help resolve a commercial conflict efficiently and cost-effectively. In addition, if less than $50,000 of monetary damages is in dispute, the court might require that the case go to arbitration.
If you’re facing a business dispute, it’s critical to have an experienced business law attorney on your side who can help you navigate the litigation process. Located in Rolling Meadows, Litico Law Group provides skillful representation to business owners and entrepreneurs throughout Illinois. We welcome you to contact us by filling out our online form or call 847-307-5942 to schedule a consultation to learn how we can assist you.