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Meet Natalie Posala, a passionate social justice lawyer licensed in Ontario. With a deep commitment to human rights and equity, Natalie serves communities in St. Catherines and Thunder Bay. Fluent in Polish, she offers legal assistance to Polish-speaking clients. Discover how Natalie's expertise and advocacy can make a difference in your case. Contact us for a compassionate and dedicated legal representation today. OOPS! Error - There’s Nothing Here. The page you’re looking for can’t be found. Check the URL, or go back to the homepage. Back to Homepage

Legal fees should not be a secret. We provide cost-effective services. FEES Sage Legal Solutions bills according on who is working on your matter. For services by our Lawyers, the rate is $250 per hour for Smalls Claims, Landlord Tenant Board matters, and Human Rights Tribunals. For all other matters including Litigation, the rate is $300 per hour. Legal services performed by students, paralegal students, and clerks are charged at a lesser rate which is specified in your retainer agreement. Time is pro-rated. Prior to beginning work, a $3,000 to $5,000 retainer is due, depending on the complexity of your case. This is held in trust, and once work begins on your case, you are billed periodically with the funds coming from your retainer deposit. Top-ups are due when required. After your case is completed, any funds remaining in trust will be returned to you. We offer unbundled legal services, or full service. *Disbursements, third-party charges and taxes (HST) will be charged in addition to our fees. *Currently, we are not providing contingency or pro bono fee arrangements. Rates to be confirmed during consultation.

Sage Legal Solutions is in St. Catharines, Ontario and we can serve clients all over Ontario. Contact us by email, phone, or mail. CONTACT Click here to request a consult contact@sagelegalsolutions.ca 289-270-7243 Find us on Facebook LOCATIONS We routinely serve the following areas: St. Catharines, Welland, Niagara Falls, Wainfleet, Port Colborne, Fort Erie, Hamilton, Thunder Bay, Northern Ontario. Many courts and tribunals hold virtual proceedings, so we are able to assist clients located throughout Ontario. OFFICE HOURS Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are closed all Holidays. We can accommodate clients' schedules with appointments outside of these hours. St. Catharines Thunder Bay 21 Duke Street St. Catharines Ontario L2R 5W1 Canada 289-270-7243 231 Red River Rd Thunder Bay Ontario P7B 1A7 Canada 289-270-7243 Please do not send confidential information or details about your case by email. Do not forward any documents to us. We will not review such information nor can we provide advice until we have accepted you as a client. Any email correspondence to contact the firm is informational only. You will not be considered a client of the firm until we have agreed to act for you in accordance with our usual policies for accepting clients. The content of this website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. No action with regards to your particular matter should be taken until you have first sought full legal or professional advice from a lawyer fully retained to act on your behalf.

This is a no-cost, 15 minute consultation with a Lawyer to see if we are a good fit for you. Please request either a telephone or a video call (Zoom).

Receiving court papers can feel overwhelming and frightening. Whether it’s a Statement of Claim , a Notice of Motion , or another legal document, it’s easy to feel lost in the legal labyrinth. Statement of Claim in Ontario - instructions to defendant Understanding the Court Papers When served with court papers, it's important to comprehend what these documents mean. Here are common types of court papers you might encounter: Statement of Claim : This outlines the plaintiff's case and the specific reasons for the lawsuit. For example, if someone is suing you for $30,000 in damages related to an unpaid loan, or faulty construction work, the Statement of Claim would explain the incident, the claim amount, and the basis for their complaint. In Small Claims, this is called a Plaintiff's Claim. Notice of Motion : This indicates that a party plans to ask the court for a specific order, such as an i nterim order for return of your personal property . It’s essential to understand what they are asking for and how it might affect you. Defence : If you are the plaintiff, and you receive a defence document, it is crucial to determine whether you are permitted to "Reply" to maintain your legal position. Responding to the Court Papers After receiving court papers, crafting an appropriate response is usually your next step. In Ontario, you typically have 20 days to file a response to a Statement of Claim. Here's how to proceed: Consult with a Lawyer : Engaging a qualified lawyer can significantly enhance your understanding of the situation. For instance, a lawyer can provide targeted advice and help you frame a strong defense tailored to your unique situation. Prepare a Defence : If you choose to represent yourself, draft a Statement of Defence that clearly responds to each allegation made in the claim. Use clear, concise language to explain your side of the story. Consider hiring a lawyer to draft the document for you as part of "unbundled" services. An incorrect defence statement can negatively affect the entire case. File Your Documents : Make sure to file your response with the court and serve a copy to the other party. Following court rules is essential to ensure your documents are accepted. Possible Outcomes Understanding the possible outcomes of your case can help you manage your expectations: Settlement : Many disputes are settled before reaching court through negotiation, often resulting in compromise. In our experience, settlement doesn't usually happen at the initial stages, but towards the end of a matter, prior to trial. Court Hearing : If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may go to trial. Both parties will present their evidence, and a judge will make a ruling based on the facts presented. Default Judgment : If you don’t respond to the court papers, the plaintiff may seek a default judgment against you, leading to significant financial or legal repercussions. Know When to Seek Professional Legal Assistance Consider hiring an experienced lawyer to draft your response or to handle the case entirely. The right legal counsel can change the trajectory of your case. A lawyer can: Translate complex legal language into understandable terms, ensuring you grasp the implications of the documents you receive. Aid in compiling evidence and presenting a compelling case. Handle negotiations on your behalf, increasing the likelihood of securing a favorable settlement. Investing in legal support can save you considerable stress and lead to better outcomes in challenging situations. Please note that this post is not legal advice, as every situation differs. Some information here may not apply to your specific case. A close-up view of a stack of court papers.

Tribunal Watch Ontario says applicants’ lack of legal knowledge accounts for many dismissals. There has been a rise in tribunal-initiated 'motions to dismiss' using a variety of different forms, requiring Applicants to file further legal submissions. Self-represented Applicants are failing to do so, resulting in their complaint being dismissed. The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ("HRTO") announced on October 25 a series of proposed procedural changes, including: eliminating summary hearings, case management conference calls, expedited hearings, and interim remedies.   Tribunals Ontario noted that it has made progress in reducing its caseload. In June, the number of active cases totalled 8,800 – nearly a 1,000 reduction from the 9,700 active cases in February 2023. Last year was the first time since 2013 that the tribunal was able to reduce its caseload. At Sage Legal Solutions, we understand that the human rights process can be confusing and time-consuming. If you aren't able to afford hiring a lawyer to take on your entire case, we can assist with a "limited retainer" by editing your application form, or completing further forms as required by the tribunal (HRTO). We can also assist with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. For information on limited assistance, you can contact us at: contact@sagelegalsolutions.ca and 289-270-7243.

The Ontario Superior Court declared a lawyer a 'vexatious litigant', barring him from initiating or continuing legal proceedings without prior court approval. This was due to his persistent abusive and harassing behaviour in litigation against the City of Toronto. October 5, 2022: Shane O’Herlihy filed a personal injury lawsuit against Toronto and a city employee, alleging assault at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. After the defence was filed,the lawyer embarked on a campaign of harassment, sending 392 emails, voicemails, and letters over 318 days to the defendants, their lawyers, and unrelated parties. His communications included threats to embarrass and harm the lawyers and their families. His motives? Forcing a settlement.