Clear pleadings. Relevant evidence. Practical preparation.

Confirm the right court and the right claim

Ontario Small Claims Court hears eligible civil claims for money or the return of personal property up to $50,000. The value alone does not answer every jurisdiction question: the remedy, parties and nature of the dispute also matter.

An initial assessment should identify the alleged wrong, the loss, the evidence and the applicable deadline. Where a claim belongs in another forum or requires a lawyer, that should be explained before a proceeding is started.

Prepare a record the court can follow

Our agreed work may include drafting a claim or defence, organizing exhibits, reviewing the opposing materials and preparing for a settlement conference. Documents should be connected to the issues they prove, not simply combined into an oversized bundle.

We can help develop a chronology, identify potential witnesses and review the calculations supporting the amount claimed. Claims for additional damages require a legal and evidentiary basis; they should not be included merely to increase pressure.

Understand the scope, costs and next stage

Court filing, service, disclosure and hearing requirements must be addressed for the actual case. A retainer for drafting or a settlement conference does not automatically include trial preparation, trial attendance or an appeal.

Before each additional stage, the scope and fees should be clear. Settlement remains a decision for the client after advice on the available information. Litigation carries uncertainty and potential cost consequences; no result is promised.

Questions about this service