What Happens After My Lawyer Sends a Demand Letter?

A demand letter is usually sent by a lawyer when their client has a dispute with another party and the lawyer believes that a resolution can be reached without going to court. The demand letter sets out the basis for the dispute, the demands of the client, and a deadline for a response.

A Lawyer May Send a Demand Letter For the Following Reasons:

• To initiate Settlement Negotiations - Demand letters are often sent to encourage settlement negotiations, which can save time, money, and resources for both parties.
• To provide Evidence of Efforts to Resolve the Dispute - If the matter goes to court, a demand letter can serve as evidence of the efforts made to resolve the dispute before resorting to litigation.
• To Establish a Clear Record of the Demands - A demand letter outlines the demands of the client and provides a clear record of what was requested from the recipient.
• To Establish a Deadline for Response - The demand letter sets a deadline for the recipient to respond, which helps to keep the matter moving forward and avoid delay.
• To Preserve Legal Rights - By sending a demand letter, a lawyer can help preserve their client's legal rights and ensure that their client is not barred from taking legal action in the future if necessary.

The purpose of the demand letter is to encourage the recipient to resolve the matter before the case is taken to court, which can save time, money, and resources for both parties. A demand letter is often the first step in the pre-litigation process and may be used in a variety of disputes, including but not limited to, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and disputes involving goods or services.

But What Happens After Your Lawyer Sends Out the Demand Letter?

Allied Outsourcing takes a look at the few steps that typically occur after a demand letter is sent.

1. Response from the Recipient - The recipient of the demand letter may respond in several ways, including accepting the demands, rejecting the demands, or counter-proposing.
2. Negotiations - If the recipient agrees to some or all of the demands, negotiations between the parties may occur to reach a settlement agreement.
3. Litigation - If the recipient does not agree to the demands or negotiations fail, the next step is usually litigation. This may involve filing a lawsuit in court and proceeding with the legal process.
4. Discovery - During the discovery phase, both parties exchange information and gather evidence to support their case. This may include depositions, written questions, and document requests.
5. Trial - If a settlement cannot be reached, the case will go to trial where a judge or jury will determine the outcome.
6. Appeal - If either party is unhappy with the outcome of the trial, they may file an appeal to a higher court.

It is important to keep in mind that the process of a demand letter can vary depending on the specifics of the case and jurisdiction. Additionally, some cases may resolve before reaching the trial stage, while others may proceed all the way through to an appeal. It is also worth noting that alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation or arbitration, may be used in place of or in addition to the traditional court process.

If the recipient agrees to pay the demanded amount, the matter will usually be resolved without going to court. If the recipient refuses to pay or negotiations are unsuccessful, the next step would typically be for the lawyer to file a lawsuit on behalf of their client. The lawsuit will proceed through the court system, where a judge or jury will decide the outcome.

A demand letter is an important tool for a lawyer to use in the pre-litigation process. It helps to resolve disputes efficiently, establish a clear record of the demands, and preserve legal rights.