Drafting · Review · Breach of contract

Contract Lawyer in Toronto

A well-drafted contract prevents most disputes, and a careful review before signing catches the terms that cause them. Our team drafts and reviews contracts for Toronto individuals and small businesses and acts when a contract is breached.

Book a consultation Call (647) 271-1646

30-minute consultation, $150 plus HST, paid when you book.

Business lawyer in Toronto reviewing a shareholder agreement

Overview

Contracts we work with

Short answer: We draft, review and negotiate contracts before they are signed, and advise on rights and remedies when the other side does not perform. In Ontario, most breach of contract claims must be started within two years of when the breach was discovered.

Service, supplier and consulting agreements
Purchase and sale of a business or its assets
Shareholder and partnership agreements
Commercial leases and equipment leases
Employment and independent contractor agreements
Loan agreements, promissory notes and guarantees
Renovation and construction contracts

Civitas Law is a team of legal professionals under the leadership of lawyer Nasibeh Mehrpouyan, working in English, French, Farsi, Russian and Serbian, which helps when the other party or the original documents are in another language.

Review

What a contract review covers

Payment terms, deposits and what happens on late payment
Scope of work, deliverables and acceptance
Term, renewal and termination rights
Limitation of liability, indemnities and insurance
Non-compete, non-solicit and confidentiality clauses
Dispute resolution, governing law and where a claim can be brought

You receive a plain-language summary of the risks and suggested changes.

Breach

When a contract is broken

Remedies can include damages to put you in the position you would have been in, recovery of a deposit, termination of the contract and, in limited cases, an order requiring performance. The first step is usually a demand letter. Claims up to $50,000 can go to Small Claims Court, and larger ones to the Superior Court of Justice through our civil litigation team.

FAQs

Questions we hear often

General information, not legal advice. Every matter is different.

Should a lawyer review a contract before I sign it?

For any contract with significant money, long commitments or restrictions on your work, a review is usually worth it. Problems are cheaper to fix before signing.

Are electronic signatures valid in Ontario?

Yes, for most contracts. Some documents, such as wills and certain real estate documents, have special signing rules.

Is a verbal agreement binding in Ontario?

Often yes, but it is harder to prove. Some agreements, such as many involving land, must be in writing.

How long do I have to sue for breach of contract?

Generally two years from when you knew or should have known about the breach.

Can I get out of a contract I already signed?

It depends on the termination terms and whether there was misrepresentation, duress or another legal ground. Get advice before you stop performing.

How much does a contract lawyer cost in Toronto?

Our first consultation is $150 plus HST for 30 minutes. We quote drafting and review fees in writing before you retain us.

Business law

Incorporation and running a business.

Small claims

Claims up to $50,000.

Civil litigation

Larger contract disputes.

قراردادها به فارسی

This page in Farsi.

Next step

Talk to our team

Book a consultation online or call (647) 271-1646 (the phone is answered 24/7). 30-minute consultation, $150 plus HST, paid when you book. Legal fees after that depend on the work involved, and we explain them in writing before you retain us.

Ready to talk?

Straightforward legal advice from a Toronto lawyer.

30-minute consultation, $150 plus HST, paid when you book. Personal injury matters start with a free 10-minute case review with the lawyer. Consultations are confidential.