Note: this wizard provides a general, informational summary only — not legal advice and not a guarantee of any outcome. It's designed to help you organize your thinking before you file an actual Defence, not to replace it.
What This Wizard Actually Does
Being served with a Plaintiff's Claim raises a lot of questions at once: do you owe the money, is the amount right, and what do you actually have to file, by when? This wizard walks you through those questions and organizes your answers into a summary you can use as a starting point for your Defence. For the fuller, step-by-step version of everything covered here, see how to respond to a claim.
What You'll Need Before You Start
- The claim you were served with, including the amount, the plaintiff's explanation, and your deadline to respond.
- Your own version of events, and whether you agree with all, part, or none of what's being claimed.
- Any evidence you have — contracts, receipts, messages, or photos that support your side.
- Whether you believe the plaintiff (or someone else) owes you in connection with the same dispute — see Defendant's claims.
Why Your Deadline Matters Most
Whatever you decide about the substance of the claim, your deadline to file a Defence is fixed and unforgiving — miss it, and the plaintiff can generally ask for a default judgment without a trial. Confirm your exact deadline right away using defendant deadlines or the filing deadline calculator, and don't let this wizard or anything else delay filing something by that date.
What to Do With the Result
Once you've organized your position, the next step is completing and filing an actual Defence — see preparing a Defence for a full walkthrough. If settlement seems possible, filing a Defence and continuing to negotiate are not mutually exclusive.
Official sources
- ontario.ca: Suing Someone in Small Claims Court — the official overview, including the current monetary limit.
- Rules of the Small Claims Court, O. Reg. 258/98 — the procedural rules governing claims, defences, settlement conferences, trials and enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this wizard free to use?
Yes — it's provided as a free informational tool, with no account or payment required.
Does using this wizard replace filing a Defence?
No — it helps you think through your options and organize your response, but you still need to file and serve an actual Defence with the court by your deadline.
What if I'm not sure I should dispute the claim at all?
Filing a Defence and continuing to negotiate with the plaintiff aren't mutually exclusive — many people file to protect their deadline while settlement talks continue.
What happens if I miss my deadline while I'm still deciding?
The plaintiff can generally ask the court for a default judgment against you without a trial — confirm your exact deadline immediately and don't let uncertainty about your response cause you to miss it.