The law and legal processes can both be complicated, particularly if you've never been involved in it before. Attorneys who have yet to amass much experience and clients who have never needed to hire a lawyer before can benefit from tips related to various legal processes. Here are five things you should know when getting involved in the litigation process.

1. Learn about the Stages of Litigation

There are several stages involved in litigation, some of which may happen out of order or not at all depending on the type of litigation you're involved in and the initial trajectory of the case. Litigation will typically begin with an investigation, then move on to the pleading, discovery and pre-trial stages. Once those stages are complete, a trial or settlement may occur. Which occurs depends on the outcome of those three stages. If your litigation ends with a settlement, then that is typically where the process ends. If your litigation goes to trial, then you may have an opportunity to enter the appeal stage.

2. Know Who You Should Expect To Work With

Key players in any legal setting include lawyers and their clients, whether those clients be plaintiffs and defendants or simply two people or groups attempting to reach a legal agreement, such as a contract or a divorce. In most cases, there will also be a judge involved. Depending on the type of litigation you're involved in, you may also work with court reporters Spokane, a clerk, jurors, a bailiff and court interpreters. You should try to determine who will be involved in your case and what each person's role will be before litigation begins.

3. Review All Documentation And Records

If you're the client, you need to be prepared to gather all the documentation and records your lawyer requests and provide them to him or her. If you're the attorney, you need to know exactly which records and paperwork to ask your client for and what things you need to gather on your own. Then, carefully review all of the documentation you gather. You need to determine whether the documentation, as well as the rest of your evidence, is authentic, reliable, and relevant to the case. You shouldn't discard anything that doesn't meet the above categories or that isn't immediately useful, though. Instead, you should set it aside and carefully label or organize it so that you can access it later if the need ever arises.

4. Stay Organized

Being organized is important for most things, but it is particularly vital for those involved in any type of litigation. Not only do you need to keep your materials, arguments and correspondence organized, but you also need to stay on top of your opponent's movements. Make sure you have a solid system of organization and that your client understands the importance of staying organized. You should also keep detailed records of all preparations and correspondence you participate in for future reference.

5. Consider Your Case's Strengths And Weaknesses

Doing this will rest entirely on your status relating to the case. You'll be looking for different strengths and weaknesses if you're the plaintiff or defendant in a criminal case than you would if you're involved in civil litigation. Think about how persuasive your evidence and arguments are. Do you have enough information? Are your arguments well-organized and eloquent? Do you have any insight into the arguments your opponent will utilize and how you can plan to exploit any weaknesses in those arguments? Knowing your weaknesses will help you prepare to compensate for them and knowing your strengths will help you to bolster them.

Always pay attention to what those who have more experience than you have to say, especially when it comes to legal processes. If you're involved in litigation for the first time in any capacity, you should be prepared to do what you can to help while letting those with more experience take the helm.