Civil Lawyers in Montreal

Owed money, hit with a bad contract, or served with a lawsuit in Montreal? Below you can compare civil lawyers who take clients in Montreal, see their rates and open times, and book a consultation online. This page explains how a civil dispute moves through the Montreal courts, the deadlines that matter, and when you need a lawyer.

Civil law in Quebec works differently

Quebec is the only province governed by a civil code. Most disputes between people and businesses (contracts, money owed, hidden defects, damage to property, reputation) are decided under the Civil Code of Québec and the Code of Civil Procedure, not the common law used in the rest of Canada. A lawyer trained in Quebec civil law is the right fit for a Montreal case.

For the bigger picture, our page on civil lawyers covers this area as a whole and the lawyers who practise it.

Before you sue: the formal demand

In most cases you must first put the other party on notice with a formal demand letter (mise en demeure), giving them a reasonable time to pay or fix the problem. Quebec's Code of Civil Procedure also asks parties to consider settling or mediating before going to court. Our guide to the demand letter in Quebec shows what it must contain.

Where civil cases are heard in Montreal

Most civil cases are heard at the Montreal courthouse, 1 Notre-Dame Street East. The court depends on the amount at stake:

• Small claims (Court of Québec): $15,000 or less. You present your own case, since lawyers generally cannot represent the parties at the hearing, though one can help you prepare. Free mediation is offered, and the judgment cannot be appealed.
• Court of Québec, Civil Division: claims under $75,000.
• Superior Court of Québec: claims of $75,000 or more, and injunctions.

Disputes between a landlord and a tenant over a residential lease don't go to these courts: they go to the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL).

Deadlines that matter

• 3 years: the general limit to sue in Quebec, counted from the day the damage or the right to claim appeared.
• 1 year: for defamation, counted from the day you learned of it.
• Days, not years: claims against a municipality, including the City of Montreal, often require a written notice within a very short time.
• 15 days: if you are sued, the time to file an answer to the summons after it is served. Call a lawyer right away.

Find a Montreal lawyer for your type of dispute

• Contract lawyers in Montreal
• Contract dispute lawyers in Montreal
• Debt collection lawyers in Montreal
• Consumer protection lawyers in Montreal: see also our guide to the legal warranty in Quebec
• Defamation lawyers in Montreal

How much does a civil lawyer cost in Montreal?

There is no set price. Civil lawyers set their own fees, usually by the hour, sometimes as a fixed fee for a defined step such as a demand letter. A case that settles early costs far less than one that goes to trial, and in Quebec the losing side usually pays only part of the winner's legal costs, so ask early what a realistic outcome is worth.

On JustiConnect you see each lawyer's rates before you book. At the first consultation, ask what the fee covers and what could add to it.

Free help in Montreal

Info Justice gives free legal information across Quebec, and the Barreau de Montréal runs a lawyer referral service. If your income is low, legal aid may cover some civil matters.

Choosing a civil lawyer in Montreal

• Settling or suing: ask whether the lawyer mostly negotiates settlements or goes to trial, and which your case needs.
• Language: you can use French or English in Quebec courts. Pick a lawyer you can talk to comfortably.
• Location: most civil lawyers on JustiConnect take clients in Montreal, and many also see clients in Longueuil and Laval.
• Bar membership: every lawyer practising in Quebec must be a member of the Barreau du Québec.

More tips in our guide on how to choose a lawyer in Quebec.

Book a civil lawyer in Montreal

Pick a lawyer from the list and book directly, or see every lawyer's open times.