What does a civil litigation lawyer in London do?
A civil litigation lawyer in London represents people and businesses in non-criminal disputes, from unpaid invoices and broken contracts to property, construction, and shareholder disagreements. The work runs from the first demand letter through pleadings, discovery, and mediation, and, when a case doesn't settle, trial. Larger claims are heard at the Superior Court of Justice in the London Courthouse at 80 Dundas Street, which serves London, Strathroy, and the surrounding Middlesex communities. Smaller matters go to the Small Claims Court.
Most disputes settle before trial, so much of the job is negotiation, and a lawyer who knows the local registry can move a file efficiently. Ask any firm how it charges, since litigation is usually billed hourly rather than on contingency.
Which court hears your civil case?
Which court hears your case depends mostly on how much you're claiming. The Superior Court of Justice hears larger and more complex civil claims, and in this area it sits at the London Courthouse on Dundas Street. Straightforward money claims go to the Small Claims Court, a branch of the Superior Court that follows simpler rules and moves faster.
That limit recently changed. As of October 1, 2025 it rose to $50,000, so a dispute that once had to be filed in the higher court may now fit the Small Claims stream. If you're owed more than that, you can still use Small Claims by waiving the amount above the limit, or you can file in the Superior Court instead.
How long do you have to start a civil claim?
In most cases you have two years to start a civil claim, set by the Limitations Act, 2002. The clock usually starts on the day you knew, or reasonably should have known, that you had a claim worth pursuing. That date isn't always obvious, especially where a loss surfaces long after the event.
Some claims carry different deadlines, and certain claims against public bodies require notice much sooner. Missing a limitation date can end a strong case before it starts, so have a lawyer confirm and calendar the deadline early rather than assuming you have time.
How do you choose a civil litigation firm in London?
Start with a firm that has handled disputes like yours, whether that's a commercial contract fight, a construction lien, an estate dispute, or a claim against a professional. Ask who will run the file day to day, how the firm approaches settlement versus trial, and how it bills, since costs add up over a long file. Local knowledge helps, because a firm that appears regularly at the London Courthouse and serves clients across Strathroy and Middlesex Centre will know how matters tend to proceed here.
You can confirm any lawyer's standing on the Law Society of Ontario directory. Browse the civil litigation & dispute resolution firms in London below.
