What should I do if I have been served with a lawsuit or court claim?

Being served with a lawsuit or court claim converts a dispute into a process governed by hard deadlines, and the earliest decisions are frequently the most consequential.

For boards and senior leaders, the principal risks are a missed response window that allows default judgment, an uncoordinated reaction across the organisation, and the loss of privilege or evidence through careless handling.

This report explains how proceedings are typically commenced and progressed in your chosen jurisdiction and industry, and the response obligations and timelines that attach once you are served. It covers the procedural traps that catch defendants off guard, and realistic ranges for cost and duration.

It also sets out a framework for triage and instruction, with explicit guidance on when to engage litigation counsel, insurers and internal stakeholders.