How much does it cost to litigate a civil case in Ontario?

The cost of civil litigation in Ontario varies enormously depending on the type of case, its complexity, whether it settles or goes to trial, and the hourly rates of the lawyers involved. Simple cases that settle early cost far less than complex multi-year matters that reach trial.

Costs typically include lawyer fees (hourly rates that vary by lawyer and firm), court filing fees, fees for process servers, discovery costs (transcribing examinations, document review), expert witness fees, and potential costs awards to the other side if you lose or reject a reasonable settlement offer. Court filing fees in Ontario are set by regulation.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer on what litigation costs. Many lawyers offer an initial consultation to assess your matter and provide a fee estimate. Some plaintiff's lawyers in personal injury cases work on contingency (a percentage of the recovery). For other civil matters, most lawyers charge hourly. Transparency about fees from the outset is important — ask your lawyer for a range of likely costs at each stage so you can make informed decisions about whether and how to proceed.