5 Things TV Courtroom Dramas Get Wrong About Litigation

Courtroom dramas make for great television. The problem? Real litigation almost never looks like what you see on screen. If you walked into a Manitoba courtroom expecting Suits or Law & Order, you'd be in for a shock. Here are five of the biggest myths television shows get wrong.

1. The Surprise Evidence Bombshell

On TV, a lawyer pulls a document from their briefcase at the last second, slaps it in front of a witness in the box and – voilà – the case is won. In real life, there's no such thing as trial by ambush. Parties must disclose relevant documents and evidence well before trial, often years in advance. “Gotcha” moments don't play well with judges. In fact, failing to produce relevant documents can result in severe sanctions under the Court of King's Bench Rules.