Toronto Small Claims Court Lawyer
Recover What You're Owed — Up to $50,000.
Ontario's Small Claims Court gives individuals and businesses a powerful, cost-effective way to recover money owed — up to $50,000 per claim. Our Toronto small claims court lawyers handle every stage of the process, from filing to enforcement.
Ontario raised the Small Claims Court limit to $50,000 — making it the most powerful small claims venue in Canada. If someone owes you money, do not leave it on the table. Our lawyers can help you pursue every dollar you are entitled to.
Ontario Small Claims Court
A Powerful Court for Everyday Disputes
Ontario Small Claims Court is a branch of the Superior Court of Justice designed to resolve civil monetary disputes in a faster, more accessible, and less expensive way than full Superior Court litigation.
With the claim limit raised to $50,000, Small Claims Court is now more powerful than ever — covering the vast majority of everyday business and personal disputes. Whether you are a business chasing an unpaid invoice or an individual who was defrauded by a contractor, Small Claims Court gives you a real path to recovery.
At Legal Solutions Law Firm, we handle Small Claims Court matters across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. We manage every step — from drafting your claim to enforcing the judgment — so you can focus on what matters most.
The Ontario Small Claims Court limit is $50,000 per claim, excluding interest and costs. This covers the majority of unpaid invoices, contractor disputes, property damage claims, and personal loans.
Small Claims Court cases move more quickly than full civil litigation. Many matters resolve at the settlement conference stage — often within months of filing.
Our flat fee structure means you know the cost upfront. We offer payment plans and work hard to ensure your representation costs are recoverable if you win.
From filing the claim to enforcing the judgment, Legal Solutions handles every step of the Small Claims Court process — protecting you from costly procedural mistakes.
Who We Help
Types of Small Claims Cases We Handle
We represent individuals and businesses in a wide range of monetary disputes across Toronto and the GTA.
Recover outstanding accounts receivable, unpaid bills, and overdue payments owed to your business.
Pursue damages when a party fails to fulfill the terms of a written or verbal agreement.
Claims involving defective workmanship, incomplete renovations, or failure to perform contracted services.
Recover compensation for damage to your vehicle, home, or other personal or real property.
Enforce repayment of money lent to family members, friends, or business associates.
Recover wrongfully withheld security deposits or compensation for damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Claims for goods sold and delivered but not paid for, or services rendered without compensation.
Recover debts, enforce agreements, and resolve disputes between businesses and their clients or suppliers.
Landlords can recover unpaid rent, arrears, and related damages not covered by the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Seek compensation for minor personal injuries, pain and suffering, and out-of-pocket expenses caused by another party's negligence.
Recover deposits paid to contractors who abandoned work, or seek damages for substandard or incomplete renovation work.
Claims against dealerships for misrepresentation, undisclosed damage, failure to deliver as promised, or deposit disputes.
Our Approach
How We Handle Your Claim
We assess your claim, advise on the strength of your case, calculate damages and interest, and explain your options — at no cost.
We prepare a properly detailed Plaintiff's Claim, name the correct defendant, and file at the right courthouse.
We handle proper service of court documents and file the required Affidavit of Service — avoiding the most common cause of delay.
We represent you before the judge, present your strongest case, and explore every reasonable opportunity to resolve the matter early.
If settlement fails, we prepare your evidence, brief witnesses, and advocate forcefully on your behalf at trial.
Winning is only the first step. We pursue garnishment, writs, and other enforcement options until you are actually paid.
Where Your Case Is Heard
Toronto Small Claims Court
Superior Court of Justice — Toronto Small Claims Court
47 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto, ON M2N 5N1All Toronto Small Claims Court matters — for claims up to $50,000 — are filed and heard at 47 Sheppard Avenue East, near Yonge & Sheppard. It is the busiest Small Claims Court in Ontario. Filings are also accepted through the Ontario Courts online portal. We represent both plaintiffs and defendants at every stage, from filing to trial.
Why Legal Solutions
We Know Small Claims Court Inside and Out
Ryan Manilla and the Legal Solutions team have appeared in Ontario Small Claims Court hundreds of times. We know the rules, the common pitfalls, and — most importantly — how to win. When you retain Legal Solutions, you get a lawyer who has done this before and knows exactly what it takes to get you paid.
Many self-represented claimants lose not because their case lacks merit, but because of procedural errors — suing the wrong party, failing to properly serve documents, or missing limitation periods. We prevent those mistakes from the start.
Calculate Your Claim Amount Before You File
Use our free Ontario Small Claims Court Calculator to instantly estimate your total claim, pre-judgment interest under the Courts of Justice Act, and court filing fees — before you pay a cent.
Open the Free Calculator →Client Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
A client owed me over $18,000 and refused to pay. Legal Solutions filed my claim, handled service, and represented me at the settlement conference. We reached a full settlement. Ryan was professional, efficient, and got results. I would not hesitate to use Legal Solutions again for any business dispute.
A contractor took my deposit and walked off the job halfway through my kitchen renovation. I had no idea where to start. Legal Solutions guided me through every step — from filing to trial — and I received judgment for the full amount I claimed. Ryan's knowledge of Small Claims Court procedure is exceptional.
After a neighbour damaged my fence and vehicle and refused to pay, I contacted Legal Solutions. They assessed my damages, filed the claim, and I received a judgment in my favour without even going to trial. Fast, professional, and genuinely focused on getting the best outcome for me.
Don't Leave Money on the Table
If someone owes you money, you may be entitled to recover up to $50,000 through Ontario Small Claims Court. Call Legal Solutions today for a free consultation — no obligation, no hidden fees.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain Language Legal Guide
Small Claims Court — What You Need to Know
You Have Been Served a Plaintiff's Claim
You feel helpless, scared, probably angry and worried about the consequences. These are all normal feelings. This is the time to get a Small Claims lawyer to defend you.
A lawyer will review the claim and draft, serve, and file a Defence on your behalf. This must be done within 20 days of receiving the Claim.
A Defence is not simply a story about what happened — it is a mix of facts and legal argument explaining why you do not owe the Plaintiff any money. Many self-represented defendants make the mistake of writing a narrative without the legal framing needed to win.
You Want to Sue Someone
Someone has stolen from you, ripped you off, or harmed you in a way that gives rise to a monetary claim. You want to recover what you are owed.
A Small Claims lawyer should draft your Plaintiff's Claim, serve it correctly, and file it with the court. The other side has 20 days to respond. If they do not respond, your lawyer can note them in default and proceed to a hearing before a judge to obtain judgment — essentially a mini-trial where you testify and your lawyer advocates for the award.
The Settlement Conference
Once a Claim has been filed and a Defence served, your lawyer will gather evidence and a Settlement Conference will be scheduled. This is a mandatory step in the process — all parties and their representatives attend court and appear before a judge.
The judge provides neutral input to both sides, giving each party a fair assessment of their case. Having a lawyer advocate for you at the settlement conference is very helpful — the judge's reaction to your position can be decisive in pushing the other side toward settlement.
It is not uncommon for a case to require more than one Settlement Conference, depending on the circumstances.
Going to Trial
Unlike family or criminal law — where the vast majority of cases settle — Small Claims Court is an area where cases more frequently proceed to Trial.
A Trial follows formal rules of evidence. Witnesses are often summoned. Having a competent lawyer to examine and cross-examine witnesses is essential to convincing the judge. A trial can last one day, two days, or more. Lawyers can give closing submissions, including supporting case law, before the judge renders a decision.
Understanding Costs in Small Claims Court
Generally, the losing party pays a portion of the winning party's costs. This is at the discretion of the trial judge, but the general rule is that the winner receives approximately 15% of the judgment amount plus disbursements.
If an Offer to Settle was made before Trial and refused, the judge may award up to 30% of the judgment plus disbursements to the successful party — a significant incentive to make and consider settlement offers seriously.
Do You Actually Need a Lawyer?
Small Claims Court rules are designed so that people without legal training can navigate them. Many litigants represent themselves. However, a lawyer brings critical advantages in assessing liability, damages, and procedure.
Key questions only a lawyer can properly answer:
- Do you actually have a winning case?
- What are your damages worth?
- Is Small Claims the right venue, or is there a better path?
- As a defendant — what defences are available to you?
- How do you maximize or minimize a costs award?
Legal Solutions Law Firm offers flat fee arrangements and payment plans — so you are never worried about hourly rates or paying every time you send an email or make a call.
Serving Clients Across Toronto and the GTA
From My Experience: Small Claims Court Is Not as Simple as It Looks
Every week I speak with someone who is surprised by how complicated their small claims matter has become. They started the process thinking it was straightforward — someone owes them money, they'll file a claim, a judge will sort it out. By the time they call me, they've received a defence and a counterclaim they didn't expect, the hearing has been adjourned twice, and they're no longer sure whether the contract they were relying on is actually going to help them or hurt them.
The word "small" in Small Claims Court refers to the monetary limit — currently $50,000 — not to the complexity of the process. The rules of evidence still apply. The burden of proof still rests on the person making the claim. The pre-trial conference, the preparation of your documents, the hearing itself — these are real procedural steps that require real preparation. Deputy judges who sit in Small Claims Court in Toronto hear dozens of cases every week, many of them brought by self-represented litigants. They are patient with people who show up unprepared. But patient doesn't mean willing to lower the evidentiary standard.
Preparation Is Everything
The cases I've seen clients lose — cases where the facts were clearly on their side — almost always came down to documentation. They had text messages but no signed contract. They had a verbal agreement the other side flatly denied. They had an invoice but no delivery confirmation. Getting your evidence organized, anticipating the defence's arguments, and presenting everything coherently to a judge who has never met you and has thirty minutes to understand your entire dispute: that's where preparation makes the difference.
The counterclaim situation catches a lot of plaintiffs off guard. You sue someone for $12,000. They file a defence denying everything and then a counterclaim saying you actually owe them $22,000. Suddenly you're the defendant in a claim larger than yours, and the whole dynamic shifts. Understanding how to respond to a counterclaim — and whether settling early makes financial sense — is worth thinking through carefully before you file a single document.
One thing people almost never think about upfront is what happens after they win. A judgment from Small Claims Court is not a cheque. You still have to enforce it. If the defendant has employment income you can garnish wages. If they own real estate you can register against title. But if the person who owes you money has no assets and no income, a $20,000 judgment doesn't make you $20,000 richer. I factor enforceability into the strategy from day one, because the goal isn't just to win — it's to actually recover what you're owed. Call us for a free consultation: 416-274-2222.
More Free Resources
Tools & Guides
Trying to figure out the steps to sue, or how long a claim like this typically takes? These free guides can help:
Speak With a Small Claims Lawyer Today
Pursuing an unpaid invoice, breach of contract, or property damage claim? Our Toronto lawyers offer a free 30-minute consultation. We are here to help you recover every dollar you are entitled to.