Small Claims Court Jurisdiction & Case Value — Ontario
File with confidence—know where your case belongs first
Not every legal dispute belongs in Small Claims Court. Filing in the wrong court — or claiming the wrong amount — can delay your case, increase costs, or force you to start over.
In Ontario, Small Claims Court has a monetary limit of up to $35,000, and strict jurisdiction rules determine whether your case can be heard there. Understanding case value, damages, and jurisdiction before you file is critical to protecting your claim.
Our Ontario-licensed paralegals help clients assess whether their dispute falls within
Small Claims Court jurisdiction, calculate claim value correctly, and choose the proper court from the start — saving time, money, and unnecessary stress.
✔ Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario
✔ Flat-Fee Pricing — No Hidden Costs
✔ Serving Landlords Across Ontario
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“Damian took the time to thoroughly listen and provided clear guidance that left me feeling far more confident about my case.” — Matthew H., Former Client
Do You Qualify for Small Claims Court?
Small Claims Court is faster, more affordable, and less formal than higher courts in Ontario—but only if your case falls within the court’s limits and jurisdiction. Filing in the right place, with the right claim value, keeps your case moving and avoids unnecessary delays or refiling fees.
If you’re pursuing compensation for unpaid invoices, property damage, breach of contract, or rent-related disputes (outside the LTB), you’ll need to confirm two key requirements before you file:
- Your claim amount is $50,000 or less (not including interest or legal costs), and
- Ontario has legal authority over the dispute, or a real connection exists to the defendant, the agreement, or where the incident occurred.
Once these thresholds are met, the process becomes significantly smoother—especially with early preparation, organized evidence, and a licensed advocate handling your filings and court appearances.
What You Can File
- Unpaid debts, invoices, services rendered
- Landlord and Tenant issues (no longer under LTB jurisdiction)
- Contract disputes (breach, non‑performance)
- Property damage (vehicle, home, personal property)
- Tenant damages (outside LTB scope)
- Business–to–business disputes
What You Can't File
- Family law matters (custody, divorce, support)
- Employment disputes above $50,000
- Landlord and Tenant issues (under LTB jurisdiction)
- Personal injury claims over $50,000
- Claims that require strict procedure beyond Small Claims
Avoid Costly Mistakes. Get Proven Guidance.
How we help you start strong in Ontario Small Claims Court
- Assess if your case qualifies under the $50,000 limit and Ontario jurisdiction
- Identify smart filing options, including adjusting or removing excess portions when appropriate
- Prepare and file your claim or defence correctly from day one, reducing the risk of delays or refiling
- Advise on the right path, including Small Claims Court vs. Superior Court, based on case value and complexity
- Provide licensed paralegal advocacy in Ontario Small Claims Court if your matter qualifies
- Represent you in court with preparation and confidence, focused on protecting your financial interests
We give you early direction, organized filings, and support from LSO licensed paralegals, so your case is positioned properly before the first document is submitted.
We also keep your costs predictable by confirming your case fit and court jurisdiction at no cost, privately, and without pressure — so you move forward informed, not uncertain.
HOW IT WORKS
Ontario Small Claims Court Process — Step by Step
Navigating Small Claims Court in Ontario doesn’t have to be confusing. Here is the clear path from filing to collecting — in plain English, with no legal jargon. Whether you’re suing for unpaid work or defending a claim, this guide shows what happens next and where a licensed paralegal fits in.
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Step 1: Prepare and File the Claim
We start by gathering your facts, calculating the amount owed (up to $50,000), and drafting your Plaintiff’s Claim. We file it electronically or in-person and pay the court fee. We double-check everything — names, numbers, facts — so your claim isn’t rejected for errors.
Step 2: Serve the Defendant
We’ll Handle It Properly for You
The court requires proper legal service of documents to the defendant(s). We arrange personal service, courier, or another court-approved method — and file the required Affidavit of Service.
⚠️Important: If service isn’t done right, the court can throw your case out. We make sure it’s bulletproof.
Wait for a Defence or File for Default
The defendant has 20 days to respond. If they do, we review and prepare for the next steps. If they don’t, we help you apply for a default judgment — quickly and properly.
Defendants often try to delay or avoid service. We stay on top of it so you don’t lose momentum.
Attend the Settlement Conference
We’ll Negotiate for the Best Outcome
A mandatory conference is held with a judge or deputy judge to explore settlement options. You must bring your documents and be prepared to discuss your case. We attend with you — or on your behalf.
Most cases settle here. We negotiate firmly and look for smart resolutions without trial.
Trial and Enforcement
If settlement fails, we go to trial. We organize your evidence, prepare witnesses, draft legal arguments, and represent you in court. This is where strong advocacy makes the difference.
If you win, the court issues a judgment. But collecting is another battle.
We help enforce it via:
- Wage garnishment
- Writs of seizure and sale
- Bank garnishment
- Debtor examinations
- And more
We turn your judgment into actual money — not just a piece of paper.
Why Ontario Chooses Cordaie for Small Claims Court
When a civil dispute puts your money at risk, you need an advocate who understands procedure, evidence, and courtroom expectations. Clients choose Cordaie because we provide Law Society of Ontario licensed paralegals who handle the preparation, filing, and court advocacy—without hourly billing pressure or confusing hand-offs. Our flat-fee model gives you predictable legal costs, while our team’s experience helps you avoid common filing mistakes that can delay or weaken a claim.
We work with clients across Ontario through a remote-friendly, court-ready process, supporting plaintiffs, defendants, and judgment enforcement cases up to $50,000. From organizing evidence and drafting submissions to representing you at motions, settlement conferences, and trial when required, we step in early to restore momentum and protect your financial interests. You get a licensed paralegal advocate who takes care of the details, keeps communication clear, and shows up prepared for you in Small Claims Court—wherever you are in the province.
“Damian listened carefully, demonstrated a clear understanding of my situation, and provided guidance that made me feel confident moving forward.”
Matthew H., Former Client
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Serving Clients in Small Claims Court Across All of Ontario
No matter where you live in Ontario—from major cities like Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, and Hamilton, to smaller and northern communities—we make the Small Claims Court process clear, accessible, and easier to navigate. Most of your case can be handled remotely, so you avoid unnecessary courthouse visits, in-person meetings, and procedural confusion while your matter moves forward.
Our Ontario-wide Small Claims Court services are built for convenience and efficiency, not complexity or hourly billing pressure. You receive straightforward guidance, transparent flat-fee pricing before HST (disbursements extra), and court-ready document preparation from the start. Whether you’re filing a claim, defending one, or exploring settlement or enforcement options, you get support at every stage from a licensed Ontario paralegal advocate who handles the details and keeps your case on track.
Ontario Small Claims Court FAQs — Claim Limits and Jurisdiction
Understanding how much you can claim — and which court location is the right one — is one of the most important first steps in any Small Claims Court matter. Many people are unsure whether their case fits within the $50,000 limit, how to calculate their claim properly, or which jurisdiction they should file in. These details matter, and getting them right helps prevent delays, unnecessary motions, and potential dismissal.
This FAQ section is designed to give you clear, straightforward answers about claim values, court locations, and the rules that determine where your case belongs. Whether you’re filing a new claim or responding to one, these explanations will help you feel more confident and prepared as you move forward.
Still Have Questions?
If you still have questions after reading, we’re here to help. Reach out anytime for a free consultation, and we’ll walk you through your situation and your options in plain, practical language.
1. What happens if my claim is $52,000?
If your claim is slightly over the Small Claims Court limit of $50,000, you have two options:
- Abandon the excess amount (in this hypothetical case, $2,000) to keep your case in Small Claims Court. You won’t be able to recover that extra amount later.
---OR---
- File in the Superior Court of Justice, where there is no monetary cap — but where procedures are more complex and costs are significantly higher.
Most people choose to abandon the excess and stay in Small Claims Court to avoid delays, legal fees, and procedural headaches.
2. Can I split my claim to stay under the limit?
No.
You cannot split one claim into multiple smaller ones to bypass the monetary limit.
The court may see this as an abuse of process and may dismiss your claim or combine it into a single larger one — which could push it outside of Small Claims Court.
Best Practice: File a single, properly valued claim — and if it’s slightly over the limit, consider abandoning the excess (e.g. file for $50,000 and forgo $2,000 of a $52,000 dispute).
3. What if part of my damages are uncertain?
If some of your damages are unknown or hard to calculate upfront (e.g. future losses or unconfirmed repairs), you must still estimate them in good faith.
Small Claims Court will only award up to the limit ($50,000,), so:
- Do your best to reasonably calculate known damages (invoices, repairs, estimates, losses).
- Avoid padding or wildly guessing — the court may reject unsupported claims.
We can help you frame damages clearly and ensure you don’t over-claim and risk jurisdictional issues.
4. Can jurisdiction change after I file?
Yes — under certain circumstances:
- If your claim value increases after filing (e.g. newly discovered damages), you may exceed the Small Claims cap. You might need to amend the claim and re-file in a higher court.
- If the defendant challenges jurisdiction and the court agrees the matter should be in a different court (e.g. Superior Court or Tribunal), your case may be dismissed or transferred.
A licensed paralegal ensures you start in the right court to avoid wasted time and money.
5. What if the defendant is outside Ontario?
You can still sue someone outside Ontario — but it depends:
The cause of action (the dispute) must be connected to Ontario (e.g. work performed here, property located here, contract governed by Ontario law).
If so, you can file in Ontario’s Small Claims Court, but:
- You’ll need to serve the defendant properly in their province or country.
Important: Enforcing a judgment outside Ontario may require additional legal steps or orders from a local court.
Our paralegals help you assess jurisdiction before filing and walk you through cross-border service or enforcement where needed.
The Monetary Limit —
Now $50,000
As of October 1, 2025, Ontario Small Claims Court now accepts claims of $50,000 or less, excluding interest and legal costs. This increase means more disputes can be resolved in a process that is typically faster, less formal, and more cost-effective when filed in the right courthouse.
If your claim exceeds $50,000, you still have options. You can abandon the amount over $50,000 and file in Small Claims Court, or you may choose to file in the Superior Court of Justice, where cases involve higher costs, stricter formalities, and legal representation requirements based on qualification and licensing. We help you assess the best path early, so you file confidently and avoid unnecessary delays or refiling fees.
