Not all civil matters resort in court, in fact quite often they can be resolved by mediation which your lawyer can advise you on.
Your matter will normally be billed based on the time spent, your lawyer will aim to minimise the costs and give you a clear estimate of the time it will take at the outset.
Yes in some cases if costs exceed a certain amount you will be able to recover costs.
Alternative dispute resolution includes mediation which is often an effective solution for civil matters. Speak to your lawyer today to discuss what would be best for your case.
The time it takes depends on the complexity of your case and whether it involves restoring to court. When going to court it can take longer as it is dependent on the waiting time for court hearings, your lawyer can discuss the expected time frame after learning more about your case.