Getting Started in Small Claims Court:

Question: How do I commence a Small Claims Court lawsuit in Ontario and what should I do to retain a paralegal for drafting the Plaintiff’s Claim (Form 7A)?

Answer: Mole Legal Services can help you commence a Small Claims Court proceeding by guiding you through completing and issuing the Plaintiff’s Claim (Form 7A), especially the narrative chronology and what to include or omit under Rule 7 so your case is properly framed from day one.   Before you file, your paralegal can also help you stress-test common pitfalls like potential counters claims, costs exposure, third-party claims, and handling name or detail errors that can slow or derail your matter.   For Ontario small claims issues involving paralegal and property management support, call (647) 709-5157 to book a consultation and get practical, step-by-step help tailored to your situation.

Add this website to Google Preferred Sources

Commencing Proceedings and Retaining Legal Counsel for Small Claims Court

To start a case in the Small Claims Court requires the issuing of a document known as a Plaintiff's Claim.  The Plaintiff's Claim is a form, known as Form 7A, and is available online.  The main form is relatively easy to complete as much is just filling in the blanks with basic information such as names and addresses of the parties involved in the lawsuit.  More difficult is the telling of the story that gives rise to the lawsuit whereas, in legal matters, the story often must be written in a sensible chronology and will often require some legalese, even in Small Claims Court. Additionally, knowing what should be said and what should be omitted can be crucial.  The prescribed rules for the requirements when beginning a Small Claims Court lawsuit are available for review at Rule 7 of the Rules of the Small Claims Court.

Note: Please contact Mole Legal Services by phone at: (647) 709-5157 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.

Although people may think of Small Claims Court cases as an informal legal process, and indeed there are many Small Claims Court cases that are relatively simple enough that minimal, if any, legal training is required, there are still many concerns to consider. Concerns to carefully consider include:

• What if I lose?
• What if the Defendant brings a third party claim?
• What if I get the name of someone wrong?
• What if a counterclaim is brought?
• What if the case becomes more complicated than first expected?
• What if legal costs are awarded against me?

The above questions, and many more, deserve careful review before haphazardly starting a lawsuit.  Understanding and carefully reviewing the potential complications, considerations, and consequences, before starting a lawsuit is highly important.