All Posts

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. I wanted to chat with you today about Paying Into Court , what it is and why you sometimes need to. What Does Paying Money into Court Mean? You are not always able to pay someone the money that is owed to them. You sometimes want to ensure that the Plaintiff can pay when their litigation fails (yes, I know, negative, but, for the Defendant, smart). Paying money into court means depositing funds with the Accountant of the Superior C

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. Let's chat today about the basics of what Caselaw Is. You might already know about legislation, the laws passed by Parliament or provincial legislatures. There is another equally important source of law that shapes how legislation is applied and interpreted: caselaw. What is Caselaw? Caselaw is the body of law created by judges when they make decisions in court cases. Unlike legislation, which is written and passed by elected offic

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. I wanted to chat with you today about disability, as defined by the Rules of Civil Procedure. Disability plays a crucial role in civil litigation under Ontario's Rules of Civil Procedure, because it creates limitations and extra consideration that all parties need to be aware of and work with. What Disability Means Under Ontario's Rules of Civil Procedure In Ontario, the term disability has a specific legal meaning within civil pr

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. I wanted to chat today about how litigation can quickly become complicated. When additional parties are added, more issue and schedules to contend with are added. Third and Fourth Party Claims add layers to the original case, making it essential to have legal project management, a plan and understanding of how all of the litigation works together. What Is a Third Party Claim? A third party claim happens when a defendant in a laws

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. Today, I want to chat about pre-judgment and post-judgment interest. Litigation comes with costs, and you are allowed interest on those costs. This extra amount comes from pre-judgment interest and post-judgment interest . Understanding these concepts can help you better manage your expectations and ensure you receive the full amount owed to you. The question of why we get to charge interest at all might be a different blog... Wha

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Cleary Legal. I wanted to chat about costs today. When you are involved in litigation, managing costs effectively can make a significant difference to your case and your budget. Two key documents often come up in this process: the Bill of Costs and the Cost Outline . While they might seem similar (and many people MAY use them interchangeably....), they serve different purposes and are used at different stages of litigation. By the way, all Bill

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. I wanted to chat with you today about the basics of the contract. Contracts are a part of everyday life, whether you realize it or not. What makes a contract valid and enforceable? I want to chat about the 6 basic elements of the contract. Capacity: Who Can Enter a Contract The first element is capacity . This means the people involved must be legally able to enter into a contract. Generally, this requires: Being 18 years of age or

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. Let's chat today about what comes after the EFD. When you attend examinations for discovery (EFDs) , you consider document disclosure and identifying missing or new information. During EFDs, the questions you ask will create undertakings , under advisements , and refusals . What Are Undertakings in Discoveries? Undertakings are promises made by one party to provide specific documents or information that were not immediately availa

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. Let's chat today about Examinations for Discovery or EFDs. These meetings play a crucial role in the legal process, helping parties gather information, clarify facts, and prepare for the next steps in a case. Understanding how EFDs work can save you time, reduce costs, and improve your overall case strategy. What Are Examinations for Discovery? Examinations for Discovery are meetings where the parties involved in litigation come t

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. I wanted to chat with you about what I can do for you, as a freelancer. From correspondence to pleadings to briefs, and more. I took 17 years of traditional law and became a skilled freelancer. By outsourcing document organization and support tasks to me, you can save time, reduce stress, and improve overall efficiency. Let's chat a little about why and how. How Freelance Legal Support Eases Your Workload A freelancer with experien

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. I wanted to chat with you today about document disclosure, and undertakings. Document disclosure is the exchange of documents and how the discovery process happens, where parties share evidence to clarify issues and move toward resolution. What Is Document Disclosure and Why It Matters Document disclosure refers to the process where parties in litigation exchange relevant documents. This exchange allows each side to see the evidenc

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. Litigation often feels complex, especially if you are new to the legal system in Ontario. When disagreements arise that cannot be settled through conversation or negotiation, litigation becomes the path to resolving those conflicts. So, today I am breaking down a bit of the basic. What Litigation Means in Ontario Litigation is the legal process used to resolve non-criminal disputes through the court system. These disputes often inv

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. I wanted to chat about legal project management today. Legal cases often involve many moving parts, tight deadlines, and many documents. Legal project management organizes these documents to ensure cases (all of them) move forward smoothly and efficiently. Legal project management means overseeing every aspect of a legal matter, from scheduling key tasks to organizing correspondence and documents. What Legal Project Management In

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. I wanted to give you a bird's eye view into how I got started as Clearly Legal. This shares a glimpse into the projects I have taken on so far to create a name for Clearly Legal senior freelance litigation and generalist law clerk. I saved lawyers time and money (and I still do) by taking on the procedural tasks and behind the scenes prep. Helping a Retiring Lawyer Close His Office My first official client that I landed as Clearly

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal I wanted to chat today about the Courts and Tribunals. Disputes happen every day, ranging from simple disagreements to complex legal battles. Ontario’s legal system addresses this variety through the tribunals and the courts. Knowing how these two differ can save you time, money, and stress when facing a legal issue. This post touches on the key differences between tribunals and courts in Ontario, helping you understand which option

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. I wanted to discuss Unbundled Legal Services today. Whether you are a lawyer or a self-rep, legal processes can feel overwhelming and expensive. Many lawyers do all of the work, substantive and procedural themselves (not a good use of time or resources). Many self-reps avoid seeking any kind of help because they worry about high costs or paying for services they do not fully need. What if you could get help only for the specific pa

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. Today, I wanted to chat about Tribunals Ontario , and to highlight the tribunals I have the most familiarity with, and that I feel are the most common. For people facing disputes related to property assessments, human rights, rental agreements, licences, or social benefits, tribunals offer a more accessible and often faster way to resolve conflicts. Understanding what Tribunals Ontario is and how it works can save you time, money,

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal. Today, I want to discuss Procedural Law vs Substantive Law . When navigating the Ontario legal system, it is crucial to understand the distinction between procedural law and substantive law. These two branches of law serve different purposes, but work together to ensure justice is served fairly and efficiently. Knowing how they differ can help you better grasp how lawsuits progress, the correct ways to do things, and the division

Hi everyone, it’s Kristy from Clearly Legal. Today, I want to discuss how a construction lien matter can end up in Small Claims Court in Ontario and outline the basic timeline—first, a quick reminder. A lien  is a charge registered on the title to a property. Step 1: Know the lien deadlines Construction lien files live and die by deadlines. In general terms, under Ontario’s Construction Act: Preserve the lien  by registering it within 60 days  of the relevant triggering event

Hi everyone, it’s Kristy from Clearly Legal. Today, I want to cover the basics of Small Claims Court in Ontario , and the early steps that drive the timeline of a file. Small Claims Court is designed to be more accessible to the public and self-represented people, and is less formal than Superior Court, however, the process still has strict deadlines. If you miss a duedate, it is possible to have your work rejected, which can have expensive and negative consequences on your l