What this practice covers
Drury accepts select civil disputes in Alberta and Ontario. The firm is best suited to matters where the facts or documents are complex, the stakes justify direct lawyer involvement, or the dispute requires a deliberate motion, trial or appellate strategy.
Pleadings and case theory
Defining the claim or defence, identifying the legally material facts and avoiding unnecessary issues that increase cost without improving the case.
Documentary evidence
Preserving, collecting, reviewing and organizing the records that will drive discovery, motions and trial.
Motions and interim relief
Procedural and substantive applications that may narrow issues, compel steps, preserve assets or address urgent problems.
Examinations and discovery
Testing evidence, obtaining admissions and identifying the factual disputes that genuinely require adjudication.
Settlement strategy
Using negotiation, mediation and offers to settle as part of the litigation plan rather than as an afterthought.
Trial and appeal preparation
Building the evidentiary record, preparing witnesses and legal argument, and protecting appellate issues where a further review may be necessary.
How the dispute is framed
The value of a civil claim cannot be assessed from the statement of claim alone. Evidence, legal defences, limitation periods, costs exposure, enforceability of a judgment and the practical objective all matter. A proportionate strategy asks what result is realistically available and what steps are necessary to get there.
Alberta and Ontario
Civil procedure differs between Alberta and Ontario, including court rules, filing practices, costs regimes and appeal routes. Limitation periods can also be decisive. Legal advice should be obtained promptly where a deadline may be running.
Questions clients often ask
How long does civil litigation take?
There is no single timeline. Complexity, court availability, the number of parties, discovery, expert evidence, motions and settlement efforts all affect duration.
Can legal costs be recovered?
Courts can award costs, but full recovery is not guaranteed. The rules and usual scales differ by jurisdiction and the result can be affected by offers to settle and litigation conduct.
What is the most important early step?
Preserving documents and getting a reliable chronology are often critical. Limitation periods and any need for urgent relief should also be assessed immediately.
Do you accept all civil claims?
No. The firm accepts select matters based on fit, complexity, stakes, jurisdiction and whether its litigation model is appropriate for the dispute.