Maurice Vaturi
Senior Counsel
Other Services
Toronto Civil Litigation Lawyerfor breach of contract, torts, and complex commercial disputes
Trusted by individuals and businesses across Ontario
Overview
Aggressive, results-driven advocacy when commercial disputes go to court
Our experienced Toronto Civil Litigation Lawyer team provides aggressive, results-driven advocacy for individuals and businesses involved in non-criminal legal disputes. We work daily in the Rules of Civil Procedure to resolve conflicts involving financial loss, property damage, and reputational harm in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
VC Lawyers is a premier litigation boutique recognized for “cradle-to-grave” management of complex civil disputes across the GTA. Litigation is a high-stakes process where a single procedural error can derail your claim. Our lawyers are members in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and act as your technical shield in the courtroom.
What has changed recently: Ontario raised the Small Claims Court limit from $35,000 to $50,000 on October 1, 2025, so a range of mid-sized disputes now belongs in a faster and far cheaper forum than they did a year ago. Amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure took effect on February 1, 2026, bringing new mandatory forms and stricter requirements about where a claim must be filed, and the broader Civil Rules Review reforms are expected to phase in through 2026. We track these changes so your claim starts in the right forum, on the right form, the first time.
Our focus
Civil litigation lawyers in Toronto
Our practice focuses on three areas where procedural depth and strategic clarity matter most.
Breach of Contract Claims
We enforce commercial and personal agreements, seeking damages for non-performance and misrepresentation.Rule 24.1 Mandatory Mediation
Most defended civil actions in Toronto must go to mediation under Rule 24.1, normally within 180 days of the first defence. We prepare for it as carefully as a trial.Tort & Liability Litigation
We act on professional negligence, defamation, and economic interference claims in North York, Etobicoke, and Scarborough.
Just been served?
20 days to file your Statement of Defence
If you have been served with a Statement of Claim, the clock is already running. You generally have 20 days to file a Statement of Defence — failure to act results in a default judgment against you.
Call us the day you are served. We move quickly to preserve your rights.
What NOT to do
What not to do when facing a lawsuit
The early days of a civil dispute are when most cases are won or lost. The mistakes below regularly destroy otherwise-defensible claims.
Do Not Ignore a “Statement of Claim”
You usually only have 20 days to file a Statement of Defence. Failure to act will result in a “Default Judgment” against you.Do Not Delete Electronic Evidence
Destroying relevant emails or texts is “Spoliation of Evidence.” The court can presume the missing material would have hurt you, and can order costs against you.Do Not Communicate with the Opposing Party
Anything you say can and will be used as a “party admission” to damage your credibility in court.
What to do now
Three immediate steps if a lawsuit is on the horizon
If you anticipate a lawsuit — or have just been served with one — these are the steps that protect your position before any legal proceedings begin in earnest.
Preserve Your Documents
Create a secure digital folder for all contracts, invoices, and correspondence related to the dispute.Check Your Limitation Periods
Most civil claims must be issued within 2 years of the day you discovered the claim, not the day of the event, and some statutory notices run in 10 days.Consult VC Lawyers
Contact our Toronto team to issue a “Preservation Letter” to the other side, legally forcing them to save all relevant evidence.
How we fight
How our Toronto litigators fight for you
Our litigation practice combines forensic document discovery, 24/7 emergency injunction work, and mediation strategy built for Rule 24.1.
Forensic Document Discovery
We use e-discovery software to mine thousands of documents for the records your case turns on, and we build the discovery plan Rule 29.1 requires.Clear Fees, in Writing
We set out our fees in a written engagement at the start of your matter, so you always know what to expect and there are no surprises.24/7 Strategic Support
If assets are being hidden or a property is being sold to avoid a judgment, our team is available 24/7 to file for urgent injunctions.Mediation Built to Settle
We arrive at your Rule 24.1 mediation with a costed damages analysis and a settlement range, aiming to resolve the case in months rather than years.
Common matters
Civil litigation we regularly handle
Breach of Contract
Business disputes, unpaid invoices, and service failures.Property Disputes
Boundary disagreements, commercial lease defaults, and construction liens.Employment Litigation
Wrongful dismissal and breach of non-compete clauses.Torts & Negligence
Professional malpractice, defamation, and personal injury.Shareholder Disputes
Oppression remedies and partnership breakups.
What you can recover
Compensation available in civil claims
Compensatory Damages
To reimburse you for actual financial losses.Aggravated Damages
For mental distress caused by high-handed conduct.Punitive Damages
Awarded by the court to punish especially malicious behavior.Injunctions
Court orders forcing someone to stop a specific action (e.g., using your trademark).
Key metrics
In the numbers
- Recovered in settlements
- $30M+
- Cases handled
- 4,000+
- Combined experience
- 70+ yrs
- Strategic support available
- 24/7
Our process
The litigation workflow at VC Lawyers
Civil litigation follows a structured path — pleadings, discovery, mandatory mediation, and trial. Our job is to drive your case toward the strongest possible resolution at every stage.
- 01
Step 1: Case Assessment
We review the evidence and the limitation period under the Limitations Act, 2002. - 02
Step 2 — Pleadings
We draft and serve the Statement of Claim or Defence. - 03
Step 3 — Discovery
We conduct “Examinations for Discovery” to question the opposing party under oath. - 04
Step 4 — Trial or Settlement
We move through mandatory mediation toward a final judgment at the Superior Court of Justice.
Our team
The lawyers who will handle your case
Our senior trial lawyers focus on commercial and civil disputes. Direct lawyer access from intake through resolution.
Avi Vaturi
Partner
Jae Hyon Cho
Co-Managing Partner
Jun Ki Lee
Associate
Allan Weiss
Associate
Kate Min Kwon
Immigration Consultant
RCIC R529664 · RQIC 11726
Frequently Asked Questions
We answered all
How long does a civil lawsuit take in Toronto?
A standard Superior Court action takes 12 to 24 months. Claims of $200,000 or less run under the “Simplified Procedure” in Rule 76, which limits each party to a total of three hours of oral discovery no matter how many people it examines, and caps the trial at five days, so those matters usually move faster.How much does a litigation lawyer cost?
We set out our fee arrangement in writing at the start of any engagement, and offer billing options suited to the type of matter.What is “Mandatory Mediation”?
Rule 24.1 of the Rules of Civil Procedure requires most defended civil actions in Toronto, Ottawa and Essex County to go through a mediation session with a neutral mediator, normally within 180 days of the first defence. Many cases settle at this stage.What if assets are being hidden?
We file for emergency relief: Mareva Injunctions to freeze assets, Anton Piller orders to preserve evidence, and other urgent court orders. Our team is available 24/7 for asset preservation cases.Where are civil cases heard?
We represent clients at 330 University Ave (Superior Court of Justice) and the Small Claims Court at 47 Sheppard Ave E. Small Claims Court now hears claims up to $50,000, and the Simplified Procedure covers claims up to $200,000 with limited discovery and shorter trials for mid-sized matters.
Why people choose VC Lawyers
The right firm handles the details so you can move forward with confidence
From property and business deals to family and estate matters, the right law firm gives you clear advice, transparent fees, and a lawyer who is genuinely in your corner.
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Clear, Upfront Fees
We explain your fee arrangement before we start. No surprises.
/02
Full-Service Firm
One firm for your property, business, family, and estate matters.
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Multilingual Legal Team
Services in 8 languages so nothing gets lost in translation.
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Boutique Firm, Direct Access
You’re never just a file number. Reach your lawyer directly.
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Trusted Ontario Counsel
Members in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
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Decades of Combined Experience
Senior counsel on every matter we handle.
Get in touch
Looking for legal help? Speak directly with a lawyer
Tell us what happened and a lawyer will personally review your case. Personal injury consultations are free and there are no fees unless we win. For all other practice areas, a consultation fee applies.
- $30M+ recovered for injury clients
- Available 24/7, including weekends
- Service in English, Korean, and 6+ more languages
Prefer to call? (416) 661-4529
Take the next step
Facing a legal dispute in Toronto? Talk to a lawyer now.
Don't let a lawsuit drain your resources or your peace of mind. We offer transparent pricing to ensure your civil rights are defended with excellence. From 330 University Ave to the Small Claims Court at 47 Sheppard Ave E, we provide elite advocacy across the entire city — including downtown, North York, Etobicoke, and Scarborough.
Related practice areas
Other services
/01
Civil Litigation Lawyer in North York
Civil disputes for North York clients, from our Finch and Keele office.
/02
Corporate Lawyer Toronto
Contract disputes, shareholder agreements, and commercial transactions.
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Real Estate Lawyer Toronto
Property disputes, commercial closings, and title litigation.
/04
Wills & Estates Lawyer Toronto
Will challenges, executor disputes, and estate litigation.
/05
Family Lawyer Toronto
Divorce, separation, and family law disputes.
/06
Personal Injury Claims Toronto
Tort claims for accident victims and their families.
/07
Contact Us
Get in touch to discuss your civil dispute.
Where we work
Service areas
VC Lawyers serves clients throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Newmarket, and Aurora. We also represent clients across Ontario through video consultations and home/hospital visits when needed.
Languages spoken at the firm include English, Korean (한국어), Hebrew, Mandarin, and others depending on lawyer assignment.
Our office is located at 1110 Finch Avenue West, Suite 310, in North York, with parking and TTC access (Finch West subway and bus connections).