A demand letter arrived with a deadline.

A demand letter is a negotiating position. Responding badly can create admissions; ignoring it can invite a claim you then defend on worse terms.

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Time-sensitive
A deadline may already be running.

Some legal claims are subject to strict limitation periods. If you believe you may have a claim, do not delay obtaining legal advice.

What to do now

  1. Do not respond in anger or admit facts you have not verified.
  2. Diarise the deadline stated in the letter.
  3. Assemble the contract and the correspondence trail.
  4. Assess whether an insurer should be notified.
  5. Obtain advice on whether to respond, negotiate, or wait.

What to bring to your lawyer

  • The demand letter
  • The contract or agreement in issue
  • Invoices, payment records and delivery records
  • The email and message trail
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This page provides general legal information about Ontario law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create a solicitor-client relationship.

Talk it through before you respond.

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