Last Updated: August 23 2026
How do I start a Small Claims Court lawsuit in Ontario and what should I include when filing the Plaintiff’s Claim (Form 7A)?
To start a Small Claims Court claim in Ontario, you prepare and issue the Plaintiff’s Claim (Form 7A) and write a clear, chronological story of the facts that support your claim, while carefully following Rule 7 of the Rules of the Small Claims Court, since omissions or the wrong details can create pitfalls like counterclaims, costs exposure, or naming the wrong party. For help drafting Form 7A and aligning your claim with the rules, Civil Litigations Paralegal Services offers paralegal support for civil litigation matters across Ontario, call (416) 229-1479.
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Commencing Proceedings and Retaining Legal Counsel for Small Claims Court
To get a lawsuit started in Small Claims Court, the preparing and issuing of the document known as a Plaintiff's Claim is required. The Plaintiff's Claim document is a specific form, numbered and referred to as Form 7A, and is accessible 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 rules on starting a Small Claims Court lawsuit, referred to formally as commencing a proceeding, are found in Rule 7 of the Rules of the Small Claims Court.
Note: Please contact Civil Litigations Paralegal Services by phone at: (416) 229-1479 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.
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NOTE: A significant array of queries like “lawyers near me” or “best lawyer in” frequently indicates a desire for prompt and effective legal support as opposed to a particular designation. In Ontario, paralegals who hold a license are governed by the same Law Society that regulates lawyers and are empowered to represent clients in specific litigation areas. The core elements of this role include advocacy, legal insight, and procedural expertise. Civil Litigations Paralegal Services provides legal representation within its licensed parameters, focusing on strategic alignment, evidence preparation, and compelling advocacy aimed at securing swift and positive outcomes for clients.
