Early case assessment

1. What is the live claim or defence?
2. Which forums are even plausible?
3. What limitation or preservation clock is running?

1. Build the claim and remedy mapSeparate contract, tort, corporate and statutory claims; identify claimant, respondent, requested relief, governing law and any mandatory pre-action step.
2. Test the forum instrumentsRead every jurisdiction, arbitration, governing-law, negotiation and notice clause across the transaction documents. Flag inconsistent clauses and parallel overseas proceedings.
3. Run every clock independentlyRecord accrual, knowledge, demand, notice, limitation, appeal and preservation dates. Do not assume a demand letter or negotiation automatically protects the claim.
4. Map evidence and assetsIdentify the proof needed for each element and defence, where it sits, who controls it and which assets could support interim relief or eventual recovery.

Timeline

Sequence and clocks that change the next action.

1. First 24 hoursIssue a proportionate hold, stop routine deletion, secure the contract set and record any imminent transfer, filing or response deadline.
2. First 72 hoursPrepare a claim-defence chronology, forum matrix, limitation schedule, evidence gaps and asset map without making avoidable admissions.
3. Decision gateChoose negotiation, mediation, court, arbitration or parallel protective action only after authority, enforceability, cost and recovery have been compared.