Small Claims Court Ontario
Civil dispute support for claims, defences, settlement conferences, motions, and trial representation across Ontario.
Jurisdiction
What Cases Go to Small Claims Court?
Ontario’s Small Claims Court handles civil disputes involving money or the return of personal property valued up to $50,000, excluding interest and costs. This monetary limit has been in effect since October 1, 2025, allowing more individuals and businesses to resolve legal disputes through a more cost-effective court process.
Small Claims Court is designed to be more accessible and less formal than the Superior Court of Justice. However, it is still governed by strict procedural rules, filing requirements, service deadlines, and evidentiary expectations. Mistakes in drafting a Plaintiff’s Claim, preparing a Defence, serving documents, filing evidence, or presenting your case can seriously affect the outcome.
At Paragon Paralegal Services, we assist clients across Ontario with Small Claims Court matters from the early strategy stage through settlement conferences, motions, and trial representation.
Ontario Small Claims Court Limit
The Small Claims Court monetary limit is now $50,000. This means you may bring a claim in Small Claims Court for:
- money owed
- damages resulting from a civil dispute
- the return of personal property valued at $50,000 or less.
If your claim is worth more than $50,000, you may need to either proceed in the Superior Court of Justice or consider abandoning the amount above the Small Claims Court limit in order to remain within the court’s jurisdiction.
Common Small Claims Court Matters We Handle
We represent both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of Ontario Small Claims Court disputes, including:
- Breach of contract claims
- Unpaid invoices and outstanding accounts
- Personal loan disputes
- Contractor, renovation, and construction disputes
- HVAC contractor disputes, including misrepresentation, negligence, breach of contract, improper installation, defective repairs, and service agreement disagreements
- Home repair disputes
- Vehicle repair and mechanic disputes
- Property damage claims
- Negligence claims
- Consumer goods and services disputes
- Business-to-business disputes
- Debt collection matters
- Enforcement of settlement agreements
- Security deposit disputes that fall outside Landlord and Tenant Board jurisdiction
- Disputes involving the return or value of personal property.
Our Approach
How Paragon Paralegal Services Can Help
Whether you are starting a claim or defending against one, proper preparation is critical. Our office provides practical, strategic, and cost-effective representation for Small Claims Court proceedings throughout Ontario.
Procedural Guidance
Small Claims Court has specific rules for filing, service, deadlines, evidence, settlement conferences, motions, and trials. We guide you through each stage of the process to ensure your documents are properly prepared, served, and filed in accordance with the Rules of the Small Claims Court.
Claim and Defence Preparation
We draft and review Plaintiff’s Claims, Defences, Defendant’s Claims, motions, affidavits, settlement conference briefs, and trial materials. We ensure your position is clearly presented, legally grounded, and supported by relevant documents and evidence.
Evidence Review and Case Strategy
Strong Small Claims Court cases are built on organized evidence. We review contracts, invoices, text messages, emails, photographs, receipts, repair records, expert reports where available, and other supporting documentation to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your matter.
Legal Research
We review applicable legislation, Small Claims Court decisions, and relevant legal principles to support your position. Whether you are the plaintiff or defendant, we work to develop a persuasive argument that reflects both the facts and the law.
Settlement Negotiation
Many Small Claims Court matters resolve before trial, often during or after the mandatory settlement conference. We represent your interests in settlement discussions and work toward practical, cost-effective resolutions where appropriate, while ensuring you remain prepared if the matter must proceed further.
Court Representation
If your matter proceeds to a hearing or trial, we represent you before the deputy judge. This may include presenting submissions, examining and cross-examining witnesses, challenging evidence, and advancing legal arguments on your behalf.
Why Work With a Paralegal?
Licensed paralegals in Ontario are authorized to represent clients in Small Claims Court. Working with a paralegal can provide effective legal representation at a more affordable cost, particularly for claims where proportionality and cost-efficiency matter.
At Paragon Paralegal Services, we focus on practical advocacy, clear communication, and strong preparation to help clients navigate the Small Claims Court process with confidence.
Getting Started
Are You Starting or Defending a Claim?
Small Claims Court matters generally begin in one of two ways: you are either starting a claim against another party, or you have been served with a claim and must respond.
Initiating an Action
If someone owes you money, breached an agreement, caused you financial loss, or is wrongfully withholding personal property, we can help you prepare and file a Plaintiff’s Claim, organize your evidence, serve the Defendant, and pursue the matter through settlement or trial.
Defending a Claim
If you have been served with a Plaintiff’s Claim, you must respond within the required deadline. We can help you assess the allegations, prepare a strong Defence, consider whether a Defendant’s Claim is appropriate, and represent you at settlement conferences, motions, and hearings.
Ready to Resolve Your Legal Matter?
Contact us today. We can review your situation by phone, email, or online submission form and explain your options clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ontario’s Small Claims Court handles claims involving money or personal property valued up to $50,000, excluding interest and costs. This allows many civil disputes to be handled in a more cost-effective and accessible forum than the Superior Court of Justice.
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Small Claims Court can deal with many civil disputes, including unpaid invoices, breach of contract, personal loans, contractor disputes, renovation disputes, HVAC contractor disputes, property damage claims, vehicle repair disputes, negligence claims, and disputes over personal property.
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Yes. Licensed paralegals in Ontario are authorized to represent clients in Small Claims Court. A paralegal can assist with drafting claims or defences, preparing evidence, attending settlement conferences, negotiating resolutions, and representing clients at trial.
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No. Small Claims Court is used by both individuals and businesses. Businesses often use Small Claims Court to recover unpaid invoices, enforce contracts, pursue debt collection, or defend against claims brought by customers, contractors, or other businesses.
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No. Many Small Claims Court matters resolve before trial, often through settlement discussions or at the mandatory settlement conference. However, if the matter does not settle, it may proceed to trial before a deputy judge.
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A settlement conference is a mandatory court step where the parties meet with a deputy judge to discuss the issues, review the strengths and weaknesses of the case, explore settlement, and prepare the matter for trial if it does not resolve.
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If a defendant does not file a Defence within the required deadline, the plaintiff may ask the court to note the defendant in default and seek default judgment. Once judgment is obtained, enforcement steps may be available.
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The court may award costs, disbursements, and interest in appropriate cases. However, costs are usually limited and are not always equal to the full amount spent on representation. This is why proportionality and cost-effective legal strategy are important in Small Claims Court matters.