Ontario Small Claims Court is managed and published by Ryan Manilla, BA, JD, a lawyer licensed to practise law in Ontario. This page sets out his verified background, what this site actually is, and — just as importantly — is specific about what his role on it does and doesn't involve.
Who is Ryan Manilla
Ryan J. Manilla, BA, JD, is an Ontario lawyer and the publisher behind Ontario Small Claims Court. He practises law in Ontario as a Barrister, Solicitor and Notary Public, with more than 15 years of legal experience.
Education, credentials and experience
- Bachelor of Arts & Juris Doctor — BA and JD, graduated with distinction from Western University and Osgoode Hall Law School (York University).
- Top 10% of his graduating class at Osgoode Hall Law School.
- New York City law firm experience — practised at a prominent NYC law firm before returning to Toronto to build his own practice.
- 15+ years of Ontario legal experience, serving clients across Toronto and the GTA.
- Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public — licensed to practise law in Ontario.
- Harvard Law School — completed the Financial Analysis and Valuation for Lawyers program.
His role on this site
Ryan Manilla manages and publishes Ontario Small Claims Court. That's a different thing from personally writing or legally reviewing every page on it, and we want to be precise about the difference rather than let the two blur together.
Day-to-day, the specific facts on this site — dollar figures, deadlines, and process descriptions — are checked against official, authoritative sources by our editorial team, following the process described in our Legal Review Policy. That checking process is not the same as a lawyer reviewing and approving each article on your behalf, and we don't want this page to suggest otherwise.
Why this distinction matters
A site "managed by a lawyer" and a site where "a lawyer reviews every article for legal accuracy" sound similar but aren't the same claim. We'd rather state the real one clearly than let a stronger-sounding one go unchecked. See our Editorial Policy for how content here is actually written and organized.
What this site is
Ontario Small Claims Court is an independent, educational website about the Small Claims Court process in Ontario. It exists to help people — whether they're starting a claim, defending one, or just trying to understand how the process works — find plain-language answers without wading through legislation or government forms first. It's a collection of guides, calculators, interactive wizards, and reference material covering the process from start to finish: deciding whether you have a claim, filing and serving it, defending against one, preparing for a settlement conference or trial, and enforcing or appealing a judgment afterward.
What we publish
Not sure where to start? See Start Here for a quick way to find the right section for your situation. The site itself is organized into a few main sections: step-by-step guides under Start a Claim and Defend a Claim, process explanations under Court Process, dispute-specific pages under Claim Types, evidence and hearing guidance under Evidence & Hearings, interactive tools and checklists, a glossary of common terms, and in-depth explainer hubs and articles under Insights.
What this page isn't saying
Nothing on this page, and nothing elsewhere on Ontario Small Claims Court, is legal advice about your specific situation — see our full disclaimer. Using this site doesn't create a lawyer-client relationship with Ryan Manilla or anyone else. And this site remains an independent educational resource — not a law firm, and not affiliated with the Ontario government or the courts. It does not employ lawyers or paralegals, and it does not provide legal advice directly.
The consultation referral network
Several pages on this site include a form to request a consultation with a lawyer or paralegal. Submitting that form connects you with an independent legal professional in a referral network — not with us directly, and not a promise of a specific person — and any consultation that follows is offered by that lawyer or paralegal, on their own terms. This referral service may involve compensation paid to us by participating legal professionals; see our Privacy Policy for the full disclosure. If you have a question about the site itself rather than your legal situation, our contact page is the right place to start.
How we keep content current
Most pages show a "reviewed for accuracy as of" date near the top. See our Editorial Policy for how content is written and reviewed, and Sources and Updates for how and when it gets revisited.
More about how this site works
For the technical and legal details, see our Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, Accessibility, Legal Review Policy, Corrections Policy and Disclaimer pages, or contact us directly with a question.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ryan Manilla personally write or review every article on this site?
No. Ryan Manilla manages and publishes Ontario Small Claims Court, but day-to-day content is checked by our editorial team against authoritative sources, not reviewed article-by-article by a lawyer acting on your behalf. See our Legal Review Policy for exactly how that works.
Is Ryan Manilla my lawyer if I use this website?
No. Reading this site or submitting the consultation form does not, by itself, create a lawyer-client relationship. See our disclaimer for the full picture.
Is Ryan Manilla licensed to practise law in Ontario?
Yes. He is licensed to practise law in Ontario as a Barrister, Solicitor and Notary Public.
What is Ryan Manilla's legal background?
He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor, graduated with distinction from Western University and Osgoode Hall Law School (York University) in the top 10% of his class, and practised at a New York City law firm before returning to Toronto, where he has more than 15 years of Ontario legal experience.
Is Ontario Small Claims Court a law firm?
No. This site is an independent educational resource. It does not employ lawyers or paralegals and does not provide legal advice directly.
Is this site affiliated with the Ontario government or the courts?
No. This site is not affiliated with, operated by, or endorsed by the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Court of Justice, or any court.
Do you get paid if I use the consultation form?
The referral service connecting readers with independent lawyers and paralegals may involve compensation paid to us by participating legal professionals. See our Privacy Policy for details.