Winning Strategies:

Question: How can Thamar Bilingual Legal Services Ontario help me prepare for a Small Claims Court case in Ontario and increase my chances of success?

Answer: Thamar Bilingual Legal Services Ontario can help you prepare a clear, compliant Small Claims Court package in Ontario by reviewing the Rules of the Small Claims Court, helping you complete and organize the court forms, planning evidence disclosure deadlines, and building an evidence and witness checklist so you can present your case calmly and effectively in both English and français through bilingual paralegal services.  It can also assist with understanding the substantive legal issues, selecting and preparing supporting documents (including expert witness report material when needed), and preparing key witness questions to reduce surprises at trial.  For practical, layperson-friendly guidance on procedure and courtroom readiness, call (647) 818-7974 for help getting organized before your hearing.

Prepare Your Best Case For Success Within Small Claims Court

A lawsuit in Small Claims Court is conducted much differently than as portrayed on television court shows such as Judge Judy. Instead, and very similar to civil litigation cases proceeding within the higher court, proceedings within the Small Claims Court do involve the formalities of procedural rules and the genuine application of law. With this said, the strict nature of compliance with procedural rules is somewhat relaxed for laypeople; however, the process can still be very daunting for a layperson.

For Your Best Likelihood to Succeed in Small Claims Court Be Sure:

• To learn the proper procedures as per the Rules of the Small Claims Court including the requirements for preparing official forms and the various rules regarding the disclosure of evidence documents, among various other concerns;
• To learn the rules of civility and the formal conduct required so to present oneself with the decorum expected including when to stand for the Judge, when to bow for the Judge, what to wear in court, among other things;
• To know the substantive law applicable to the case meaning the law specific to the relevant legal issues;
• To obtain the best quality evidence, such as an expert witness report, among other things, as may be applicable, as proof of the facts that must be established as per the law specific to the relevant legal issues;
• To ensure that all necessary witnesses will be prepared and in attendance and to ensure attendance by issuing a Summons to any witnesses that may be hesitant (which may be important even if the witness promises to attend);
• To learn as much as possible about the opposing parties in the case including personality characteristics that may be strengths to take heed of or weaknesses to make benefit of.
• To prepare a thorough checklist and worksheet for use at Trial so to help ensure that all critical witness questions are asked and that all evidence documents are presented;
• To stay unemotional and thereby able to remain focused on presenting the facts and avoiding of unnecessary drama;
• To avoid believing that a Small Claims Court case will be simplistic in both the procedural rules as well as in the law applicable to the issues in dispute; and
• To carefully consider experienced professional representation for assistance in organizing and preparing and as your advocate in the courtroom.

Carefully Research the Applicable Principles

For an understanding of the law applicable to your specific legal issue, this Thamar Bilingual Legal Services Ontario website may be a very helpful and useful resource.  Additionally, for researching specific issues, the website for the Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII) provides hundreds of thousands of pages of information on almost every legal topic.

Conclusion

For the best likelihood of success in Small Claims Court, avoid presuming simplicity or informality. The Small Claims Court is a genuine legal forum with a high level of formality and decorum. Both the procedures, and thus procedural law, as well as the specific legal issues, and thus the substantive law, hold significant sophistication despite perception that Small Claims Court may be otherwise. Ultimately, for the best likelihood of a positive result, be knowledgeable, be organized, be prepared, and be ready.