WHAT IS

SMALL CLAIMS COURT ABOUT?

Small Claims courts exist to help people settle minor disputes concerning money or property with a neighbour, a merchant and even a customer for amounts up to $25,000, (varies by province) without having to hire a lawyer.

 

Yes. you can represent yourself in Small Claims courts, but that may not be the wisest course of action. An experienced Paralegal is a wise option.

 

Know that it will take you the better part of a year to go through the entire Small Claims Court process and have your trial and get judgment. You may lose.

 

Getting a judgment can be fairly easy. Collecting is an entirely different matter.

 

YOU MAY WIN, BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU WILL GET YOUR MONEY.

Courts do not collect for you. You still must collect

SHOULD I SUE?

Only you can decide. Before you do, read up on what you are getting into. You may be mad about that deadbeat now, but is it worth a few hundred dollars and a year or so of aggravation to sue her?

 

In the end, most cases settle on the court room steps because both parties just want the matter over and done with.

Ask a paralegal to assess your case before you decide.

WHO CAN I SUE?

You can sue anybody (adults) and any business in Small Claims Court.

 

Any individual, business or corporation may sue in Small Claims Court for the recovery of money only.

WHAT WILL IT COST TO MAKE MY CLAIM?

It will cost you about $300.00 and 3 or 4 full days of your time to file, serve, attend the settlement conference and the trial  regardless if you win or lose your case. If you lose you may have to pay costs to the other side.

IF YOU WIN you still have to collect. Is it worth it? Think twice before you answer.

HOW MUCH CAN I SUE FOR?

The ParaLegal Advice Small Claims Court Chart lists the amounts you can sue for in your province. These are set by the province in which you are suing. The highest amount you can sue for in Small Claims Court is currently $25,000.00

WHAT CAN I SUE FOR?

 Usually you can sue for damages in auto accidents, property damage, some landlord tenant disputes, broken verbal or written contracts, bad cheques, unpaid wages, or the collection of personal debts. This is a partial list and rules vary by province.

WHERE DO I SUE?

You must sue in the court in the jurisdiction of the person being sued. If the party you are suing is located in Kingston and you are in Montreal, you must sue in Kingston

CAN YOU PROVE YOUR CLAIM?

The result of a lawsuit is not necessarily determined by what is right, but rather by what can be proven.

If your case is not strong enough to support the burden of proof, then you might as well just chalk it up to a learning experience.