Civil claims up to $50,000 (exclusive of costs and interest) in the Ontario Small Claims Court — pleadings, settlement conferences, trials, and enforcement of judgments. Appeals to the Divisional Court from $5,000. We represent plaintiffs and defendants.
Ontario's Small Claims Court is a branch of the Superior Court of Justice. It handles civil claims for money or the return of personal property up to $50,000 (exclusive of costs and interest). It's designed to be more accessible than higher civil court — simpler forms, mandatory settlement conferences, and no jury — but it's a real court with real rules. Hearings are conducted by Deputy Judges.
Paralegals licensed by the Law Society of Ontario have full standing in Small Claims Court — drafting pleadings, conducting settlement conferences, examining witnesses, making submissions at trial. We represent on both sides — drafting and issuing claims, defending, and enforcing or resisting enforcement after judgment. Appeals to the Divisional Court are available for judgments of $5,000 or more exclusive of costs.
Whether you're suing or being sued, the same Small Claims Court rules apply. The strategy and the document set are different depending on which side you're on.
Drafting, issuing, and prosecuting a claim — through to enforcement.
Defending, counter-claiming, and managing payment after judgment.
Realistic timeline: undefended matters can resolve in a few months; contested matters typically run a year from filing to trial, sometimes longer depending on the local court's scheduling.
We review the facts, identify the cause of action, calculate the claim (principal + pre-judgment interest + costs), and consider whether a demand letter can resolve the matter before action — often the cheapest path.
If no settlement: we draft and issue the Plaintiff's Claim, attach the supporting documents, and serve. For defendants: we draft and file the Defence within 20 days of service, plus any Defendant's Claim where you have a counter-claim.
A mandatory step before trial. The deputy judge encourages settlement and narrows the issues. About half of Small Claims matters resolve here. We prepare offers to settle in advance — the right offer can shift cost consequences at trial.
If no settlement, trial. After judgment: enforcement on the plaintiff side (writ of seizure and sale, garnishment of wages or bank accounts, examination in aid of execution); for defendants, payment plans or proposals to resolve the judgment debt.
Small Claims cases turn on the paper trail. Bring everything you have — gaps in the record are harder to fix once we've issued or defended.
Filing fees depend on whether you are an "infrequent" plaintiff (10 or fewer claims in a year) or a "frequent claimant" (more than 10). Defendants and most other steps have their own fee. Fees are set under O. Reg. 432/93 and are periodically updated — confirm current amounts when filing.
Filing fees adjust periodically — confirm the current schedule at the time of filing. Service of documents by certified mail or process server, witness fees, and Sheriff's enforcement fees are billed separately.
View the Small Claims Court at the Superior Court of Justice ↗Tell us the dispute amount, the dates, and the documents you have. We'll respond within one business day with the realistic path — demand letter, claim, defence, or settlement.