Toronto Small Claims Court Lawyer
for Claims Up to $50,000
Legal Solutions Law Firm is a Toronto Small Claims Court lawyer team representing both plaintiffs and defendants in Ontario Small Claims Court — whether you are recovering money you are owed or defending a claim filed against you, for amounts up to $50,000. We act for individuals and businesses across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, handling every stage from the first demand letter through trial and judgment enforcement. Consultations are free, our fees are flat and quoted up front, and payment plans are available.
Ontario raised the Small Claims Court limit to $50,000 — making it one of the most powerful small claims venues 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
How Our Toronto Small Claims Court Lawyer Can Help
Ontario Small Claims Court is a branch of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, administered through the Court Services Division of the Ministry of the Attorney General. It is 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 — for plaintiffs and for defendants. We manage every step: drafting your claim (or your Defence), settlement conferences, trial, and enforcing the judgment, so you can focus on what matters most. Clients who need help beyond a monetary dispute can turn to our Toronto lawyers for other legal matters. For disputes above the $50,000 limit, we can advise on proceeding in the Superior Court of Justice instead.
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.
| Type of Claim | Maximum Recovery |
|---|---|
| Unpaid Invoice | $50,000 |
| Property Damage | $50,000 |
| Breach of Contract | $50,000 |
| Personal Loan | $50,000 |
Why Legal Solutions
Why Choose Legal Solutions Law Firm for Your Small Claims Case?
Whether you are suing someone in Ontario or defending a small claims action, experience matters. Ryan Manilla and the Legal Solutions team have appeared before the Deputy Judges of the Ontario Small Claims Court hundreds of times — on both sides, for plaintiffs and for defendants. We know the Rules of the Small Claims Court, the common pitfalls, and — most importantly — how to win.
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. As your Small Claims Court Lawyer, we prevent those mistakes from the start — from your first Court Forms to your final judgment. If your case runs through the Toronto courthouse at 47 Sheppard Avenue East, start with our complete guide to Toronto Small Claims Court — the map of the whole process, from filing to enforcement.
Who We Help
Types of Small Claims Cases We Handle
We handle the full range of monetary disputes heard by Ontario Small Claims Court: unpaid invoices and debts, breach of contract, contractor and renovation disputes, property damage, personal loans, deposit disputes, consumer claims against dealerships and repair shops, and minor personal injury claims — for both the party suing and the party being sued, across Toronto and the GTA.
Unpaid Invoices
Recover outstanding accounts receivable, unpaid bills, and overdue payments owed to your business.
Breach of Contract
Pursue damages when a party fails to fulfill the terms of a written or verbal agreement.
Contractor Disputes
Claims involving defective workmanship, incomplete renovations, or failure to perform contracted services.
Property Damage
Recover compensation for damage to your vehicle, home, or other personal or real property.
Personal Loans
Enforce repayment of money lent to family members, friends, or business associates.
Security Deposits
Recover wrongfully withheld security deposits or compensation for damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Goods & Services
Claims for goods sold and delivered but not paid for, or services rendered without compensation.
Business Disputes
Recover debts, enforce agreements, and resolve disputes between businesses and their clients or suppliers.
Unpaid Rent
Landlords can recover unpaid rent, arrears, and related damages not covered by the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Personal Injuries
Seek compensation for minor personal injuries, pain and suffering, and out-of-pocket expenses caused by another party's negligence.
Home Renovations
Recover deposits paid to contractors who abandoned work, or seek damages for substandard or incomplete renovation work.
Auto Dealerships
Claims against dealerships for misrepresentation, undisclosed damage, failure to deliver as promised, or deposit disputes.
Auto Repair Shops
Claims against mechanics and repair shops for defective repairs, unauthorized work, charges over the estimate, or a refused repair warranty.
HVAC Companies
Claims against HVAC companies for a bad furnace or AC install, no heat, a deposit taken for work never done, unlicensed work, or a refused warranty.
Free Interactive Tools
Not sure where to start? Use these free, confidential tools to assess your Ontario small claims matter before you file.
Starting a Small Claims Court Claim in Toronto
A Toronto small claim starts with a Plaintiff's Claim (Form 7A): a plain-language statement of what happened, what you are owed, and why the defendant owes it, with your key documents attached. The claim is filed online through Ontario's civil claims portal or at the Toronto courthouse, and must then be properly served on each defendant. Done correctly, filing is straightforward; done carelessly, it plants the procedural errors — wrong defendant, defective service, missed deadlines — that sink otherwise valid claims months later.
Before You File: The Demand Letter
Most good claims start with a firm, dated demand letter setting out the amount owed and a payment deadline. A meaningful share of disputes resolve at this stage without a lawsuit — and if the other side refuses, the letter becomes evidence of your reasonableness. You can build one in minutes with our free demand letter generator, or have us send one on firm letterhead, which tends to get read differently.
Filing and Serving Your Claim
We draft the claim to plead the principal amount, prejudgment interest, and recoverable costs; confirm the defendant's correct legal name; file with the $108 fee ($228 for frequent claimants); and serve each defendant within the six-month service window, filing the Affidavit of Service that proves it. From valid service, the defendant's 20-day clock to respond begins. The full step-by-step walkthrough is in our guide to filing a small claim in Toronto.
Defending a Small Claims Court Lawsuit in Toronto
Yes — a lawyer can defend you when someone files a Small Claims Court claim against you, and we regularly act for defendants as well as plaintiffs. If you have been served with a Plaintiff's Claim, you have 20 days to file a Defence. We assess the claim, prepare and file your Defence, pursue any counterclaim, and represent you at the settlement conference and trial — and a successful defendant can recover a portion of their costs from the plaintiff.
Responding to a Plaintiff's Claim
The Defence (Form 9A) is your side of the story, told point by point: admit what is true, deny what is not, and attach the documents that support your version. The form also supports practical middle grounds — admitting part of the claim while disputing the rest, or admitting the debt and proposing a payment schedule. Filing the Defence costs nothing and immediately converts you from a target into a party. What never works is ignoring the claim: it will not go away on its own.
Counterclaims: The Defendant's Claim
If the plaintiff actually owes you money — the classic Toronto example is the contractor suing for a final invoice while the homeowner holds deficiency claims — a Defendant's Claim puts your claim into the same proceeding, where the proven amounts are set off against each other before one deputy judge. Estimate your net position with the counterclaim calculator. A genuine counterclaim transforms your negotiating position; a tactical, evidence-free one damages the credibility your Defence needs.
If You've Been Noted in Default
Miss the 20 days and the plaintiff can have you noted in default and move to default judgment — sometimes discovered only when a garnishment notice arrives. Default judgments can be challenged: a motion to set aside asks the court to reopen the case, and moving quickly after you learn of the judgment matters enormously. Our Toronto default judgment guide explains both sides of that process.
Evidence and Settlement for Defendants
Defence files are won on the same fuel as claims: contracts, invoices, payment records, photos, and message threads, organized before the settlement conference where most Toronto cases resolve. A credible, documented Defence is negotiating capital — plaintiffs facing trial risk, delay, and collection uncertainty routinely settle for far less than they claimed. Not sure how strong your position is? Start with our free should-I-defend wizard.
How Much Does a Toronto Small Claims Court Lawyer Cost?
Legal Solutions Law Firm works on flat fees quoted up front after a free consultation, with payment plans available — no hourly billing for every email and phone call. The fee depends on what your matter needs: a demand letter costs less than a defended claim that runs through a settlement conference, and full trial representation is priced accordingly, so you know the cost before you commit.
Two features of Small Claims Court soften the cost further. First, if you win, the court can order the losing party to contribute to your representation costs — generally up to 15% of the claim under Rule 19.04, plus your filing and service disbursements — which offsets a meaningful share of the fee. Second, where a reasonable settlement offer was refused and you beat it, the court has discretion to award more. Estimate the recoverable side with our court costs calculator, and weigh representation options honestly with the representation wizard.
Do You Need a Lawyer for Small Claims Court in Ontario?
No — individuals are not required to hire a lawyer for Ontario Small Claims Court, and the court is designed to be accessible to self-represented parties. But representation significantly improves outcomes in practice: procedural mistakes like suing the wrong party, defective service, or a missed limitation period defeat otherwise valid claims, and experienced advocacy matters at the settlement conference and trial, where cases are actually decided.
The honest calculus: representation earns its cost as the amount grows, as the other side retains counsel, and as the case turns on credibility or technical defences. Corporations should note that they generally appear through a lawyer, paralegal, or — with the court's permission — an officer, rather than simply sending anyone. And the Rule 19.04 costs regime partially subsidizes the choice, since winners recover a portion of representation costs. For a candid comparison of your options, see our guide to lawyer vs. paralegal vs. self-representation — and whichever route you choose, the initial consultation with us is free.
Our Approach
Ontario Small Claims Court Process: Step by Step
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.
How Long Do You Have to Start a Small Claims Court Claim?
Under Ontario's Limitations Act, 2002, you generally have two years from the date you knew — or reasonably ought to have known — about your claim to start a lawsuit. Miss that deadline and your right to sue can be permanently lost, no matter how strong the underlying facts are.
The two-year clock can start earlier than people expect, and certain claims run from a later discovery date. A separate ultimate limitation period of 15 years also applies in most cases. Because timing is often the difference between a valid claim and a lost one, we assess your limitation period immediately — so your claim is never defeated on a technicality. Check your own dates with the free limitation period calculator.
Ontario Small Claims Court Filing and Procedural Deadlines
To start a case you file a Plaintiff's Claim; to respond, a defendant files a Defence and, where appropriate, a Defendant's Claim (a counterclaim). Once your Plaintiff's Claim is issued by the court, it must be served on the defendant within six months (the court can extend this where necessary), and you file an Affidavit of Service to prove it. After being served, the defendant has 20 days to file and serve a Defence.
If the defendant does not respond within that window, you can ask the court to note them in default and move toward a default judgment (Default Judgment Ontario) — often without a trial. A defendant who was noted in default can bring a Notice of Motion — a Motion to Set Aside — asking the court to reopen the matter. There are also fixed timelines for later steps, such as requesting a settlement conference or a trial date once a Defence is filed. All of these steps use standard Court Forms, which we prepare and file for you.
Missing or mishandling any of these deadlines is one of the most common reasons an otherwise strong claim stalls or is dismissed. We manage the full timeline for you — issuing, serving, and following each procedural step on schedule.
The Ontario Small Claims Court runs on a handful of standard forms. Here is what each one does — follow the link for a plain-language guide.
| Ontario Court Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Plaintiff's Claim (Form 7A) | Start a lawsuit |
| Defence (Form 9A) | Respond to a claim |
| Defendant's Claim | Counterclaim |
| Notice of Motion | Request a court order |
| Affidavit of Service | Confirm documents were served |
| Notice of Examination | Schedule an examination |
| Request to Clerk (Form 9B) | Administrative requests |
Small Claims Court Fees and Recoverable Costs
Ontario charges a flat court fee to issue a Plaintiff's Claim — $108 for occasional claimants and $228 for frequent claimants (those who file ten or more claims a year in the same court) under O. Reg. 332/16. Additional set fees apply to later steps, such as noting a defendant in default or requesting a trial.
If you win, the court can order the losing party to pay a portion of your costs — generally around 15% of the amount claimed under Rule 19.04, plus your disbursements (filing and service fees). Where a reasonable offer to settle was made and refused, the court has discretion to award more.
Legal Solutions works on flat fees with payment-plan options, so you know your cost up front — with no hourly billing every time you send an email or make a call.
Small Claims Court Settlement Conferences
Once a Claim has been filed and a Defence served, the court schedules a mandatory settlement conference. All parties and their representatives appear before a judge, who reviews the case and gives each side a neutral, candid assessment of its strengths and weaknesses.
Many disputes settle at this stage, avoiding the cost and delay of a trial. Having a lawyer advocate for you here matters — the judge's reaction to your position can be decisive in moving the other side toward a fair resolution. Depending on the circumstances, a matter may require more than one settlement conference.
Preparing for a Small Claims Court Trial
Unlike many areas of law where almost everything settles, Small Claims Court matters proceed to trial comparatively often. A trial follows formal rules of evidence: witnesses may be summoned, documents are entered as exhibits, and each side can examine and cross-examine witnesses before making closing submissions — including supporting case law (for example, decisions published on CanLII).
A trial may last part of a day or several days. Skilled examination and cross-examination are often what convince a judge, which is why representation at trial can be decisive. If you disagree with a final decision, a Small Claims Appeal may be available to the Divisional Court for orders over $3,500, subject to strict deadlines. And it is never too late to settle — many cases resolve on the day of trial or partway through.
Enforcing a Small Claims Court Judgment
Winning a judgment is only half the battle — a judgment is not a cheque. To collect a judgment when the debtor does not pay voluntarily, Ontario law gives you several enforcement tools. We choose the one that fits the debtor's income, assets, and circumstances — and Small Claims Court judgments are enforceable for many years.
Default Judgment
If the defendant is served and fails to file a Defence within 20 days, you can ask the court to note them in default and obtain a default judgment — often without a trial. This is the fastest route to an enforceable judgment when a claim goes unanswered, and it is the starting point for the enforcement steps below.
Garnishment
A garnishment order requires a third party who owes money to the debtor — typically an employer or a bank — to pay it to you instead. Wage and bank-account garnishments are among the most effective enforcement tools when the debtor has steady income or funds on deposit, and we can identify the right target and prepare the paperwork correctly.
Writ of Seizure
A writ of seizure and sale is an execution order filed with the court and enforced through the Sheriff's Office (the Court Enforcement Office). It attaches to the debtor's property: registered against real estate, it can prevent a sale or refinancing until your judgment is paid, and execution against personal property can lead to the seizure and sale of assets to satisfy the debt.
Examination Hearing
If you do not know what the debtor earns or owns, a judgment debtor examination hearing — started by serving a Notice of Examination — compels them to attend court and answer questions under oath about their income, assets, and financial situation. The information gathered lets you choose the most effective enforcement method.
Where Your Case Is Heard
All 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.
Filing outside Toronto? See our directory of Small Claims Courts across Ontario for every location by region.
Free Ontario Small Claims Court Calculator
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
I wish I could add five more stars to show how happy we are with the legal services of Ryan J. Manilla and his team. They took charge of our legal matters, worked tirelessly on short notice, and delivered outstanding legal documents on time. Their teamwork, professionalism, patience, and understanding of our situation gave us tremendous peace of mind. Most importantly, we sleep better at night knowing that we are in good hands, with a legal team that has the expertise and compassion to handle sensitive matters with care.
I had a great experience working with Ryan at Legal Solutions. He is professional, responsive, and very knowledgeable. Any time I had questions, he got back to me quickly and provided practical advice. I wouldn’t hesitate to use him again.
I was going through anxiety not knowing what to expect with my case. Ryan explained everything simply and stood up for me at my hearing. I’m really thankful for his help!
One of the best. Well poised, smart articulate. Know his stuff and one of the best lawyer out there to work with.
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
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. If you are on the receiving end of a claim, our defendant's playbook for Toronto covers the 20-day clock, the Defence, and counterclaims in full.
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
Free Ontario small claims calculators, step-by-step wizards, and small claims guides to help you sue, defend, and collect:
Free Calculators
Claim Types We Handle
Step-by-Step Guides
Speak With a Toronto Small Claims Court Lawyer
Pursuing an unpaid invoice, breach of contract, or property damage claim — or defending a claim filed against you? Our Toronto lawyers offer a free 30-minute consultation and act for both plaintiffs and defendants.