Small Claims Court in Ontario covers a wide range of situations, from unpaid invoices to property damage to landlord-tenant-adjacent money disputes. Instead of reading this entire site front to back, most people are better served by finding the one section that matches what they're actually trying to do right now. That's what this page is for.
Five common situations
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I want to start a claim
You're owed money, property, or a service someone didn't deliver, and you're considering suing. Start with the step-by-step filing guide, or read the deeper Starting a Small Claims Court Case Insights hub first.
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I've been served with a claim
Someone is suing you and you need to respond, and by when. Start with the step-by-step defendant's guide, or read the deeper Defending a Small Claims Court Claim Insights hub first.
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I need to prepare my evidence
You have a case (or expect to), and want to know what documents, photos or witnesses you'll actually need. Start with the Evidence & Hearings hub.
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I'm going to court
You have a settlement conference or trial date coming up and want to know what happens. Start with the Court Process guide, or read the deeper Hearings, Settlements and Court Process Insights hub first.
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I won — now I need to collect
You have a judgment, but the other side hasn't paid. Start with judgment enforcement, or read the deeper Collecting and Enforcing a Judgment Insights hub first.
Not sure which one fits?
A few other starting points, depending on what's actually holding you up:
- You're not sure you even have a claim. See do I have a claim?
- You want to browse by the kind of dispute you're facing — a contractor, a landlord, a neighbour, an online purchase — rather than by process stage. See Claim Types.
- You want tools, not reading — calculators, checklists, guided wizards. See Tools & Calculators.
- You just want to look up a term you saw on a form or in a letter. See the Glossary.
Important note
Nothing on this site is legal advice about your specific situation. It's general, educational information about how the Small Claims Court process generally works. See our disclaimer for the full picture, and consider speaking with a lawyer or licensed paralegal if your situation is complicated or high-value.
Before anything else: the monetary limit
One fact worth knowing before you go further: Ontario's Small Claims Court can generally hear claims for money, property or services worth up to $50,000, exclusive of costs and interest. This limit increased from $35,000 effective October 1, 2025. If your dispute is worth more than that, it generally needs to go to the Superior Court of Justice instead — see the official ontario.ca overview for the current figure.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to read this whole site before I do anything?
No. Pick the pathway above that matches your situation and start there — each one links to everything else you'll need as you go.
What's the difference between the step-by-step guides and Insights?
The step-by-step guides (like Start a Claim or Defend a Claim) are organized around doing a specific task in order. Insights articles go deeper into the reasoning and context behind a topic — useful if you want to understand the "why" before diving into the checklist.
I'm in the middle of a case already — where should I go?
Go straight to the pathway that matches your current stage — for example, if you're waiting for a settlement conference, see Court Process or the deeper hearings and settlements Insights hub.
Is this site affiliated with the Ontario government or the courts?
No. This is an independent educational resource, not affiliated with the Ontario government, the Ontario Court of Justice, or the Superior Court of Justice. See About for more.