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
Starting a lawsuit in Small Claims Court requires the preparation of, and issuance of, a Plaintiff's Claim document. The Plaintiff's Claim is a form, known as Form 7A, and is available online. The main parts of the Form 7A document are quite easy to complete as such simply involves filling in a few blanks of 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, if any. There are various rules regarding the extent of information that is required. 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 Civil Litigations Paralegal Services by phone at: (416) 229-1479 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 a counterclaim is brought against me?
- What if I lose the lawsuit?
- What if I lose and legal costs are awarded against me?
- What if the Defendant includes a 'third party'?
- What if I name someone wrong?
- What if the case is more complicated than expected?
The concerns listed above, among others, should be very carefully reviewed before bringing a lawsuit. Understanding and carefully reviewing the potential complications, considerations, and consequences, before starting a lawsuit is highly important.
More Information About Getting Started in Small Claims Court Is Available...
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NOTE: A considerable assortment of inquiries featuring “lawyers near me” or “best lawyer in” typically indicate an urgent requirement for competent legal assistance rather than a specific designation. In Ontario, licensed paralegals are governed by the same Law Society that supervises lawyers and possess the authority to represent clients in specific litigation contexts. Advocacy, legal reasoning, and procedural expertise are fundamental to this position. Civil Litigations Paralegal Services provides legal representation within its licensed parameters, emphasising strategic positioning, evidentiary groundwork, and compelling advocacy aimed at securing efficient and favourable outcomes for clients.
