SMALL CLAIMS COURT

Starting a Small Claims Court case begins when a plaintiff completes a Plaintiff’s Claim, files it with the appropriate court, and serves it on the defendant. Cases generally must be started within two years of the loss suffered.

Once served, the defendant has 20 days to file a Defence and may also bring a Defendant’s Claim if it relates to the same events.

Before trial, the court schedules a Settlement Conference, where both parties are required to explore the possibility of resolving the matter. If no settlement is reached, the plaintiff can request that the case be set for trial. Depending on court schedules, the process typically takes 9–12 months.

At Rogers Law Firm, we can assist with drafting demand letters, mediating out-of-court settlements, or handling select parts of your case to make the process more cost-efficient.

Ontario Small Claims Court    Small Claims Court Forms    Rules of the Small Claims Court   Limitations Act