Getting Started in Small Claims Court:

Question:How do I start a Small Claims Court case in Ontario and make sure my Plaintiff’s Claim Form 7A story is written correctly?

Answer:Thamar Bilingual Legal Services Ontario can help you prepare and review your Plaintiff’s Claim (Form 7A), including the chronology and key facts needed for Small Claims Court in Ontario, so you are less likely to make avoidable errors before filing under Rule 7.   We provide bilingual paralegal support in English and français for common issues like countersuing, costs if you lose, third-party claims, and correcting party name details.   Call (647) 818-7974 to get started and receive practical guidance before you commence proceedings, and avoid risking your case with rushed or incomplete pleadings.

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Commencing Proceedings and Retaining Legal Counsel for Small Claims Court

Getting a legal case started within the Small Claims Court involves issuance of a formal document known as a Plaintiff's Claim.  The Plaintiff's Claim document is known as a Form 7A and can be found online.  The primary parts of the form are relatively easy involving simple fill in the blanks information.  The more challenging aspect of starting a lawsuit is knowing what parts of the story to say and what parts of the story to avoid saying, or at least to avoid in the beginning.  There are many rules regarding the manner of what should be provided.  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 Thamar Bilingual Legal Services Ontario by phone at: (647) 818-7974 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.

Although many people think of the Small Claims Court as relatively informal, and some legal issues are simple enough that laypeople can handle a case without needing assistance from a lawyer or paralegal, there are concerns to think about.  Concerns to think carefully about include:

• What if I am countersued by the Defendant?
• What if I lose the case?
• What if I lose and the Defendant seeks costs against me?
• What if the Defendant sues another person as a 'third party'?
• What if I get a name wrong?
• What if the case becomes more complicated than originally expected?

The concerns listed above, among others, should be very carefully reviewed before bringing a lawsuit.  Diligent review of these questions and the potential pitfalls are highly important before getting started.