Big Changes To Small Claims - How COVID-19 Has Affected The Small Claims Court

The world has gone through many changes in the past year, and the Ontario Small Claims Court is no exception. Since suspending sittings in March 2020, the Court has progressively begun expanding its remote operations. While traditionally resistant to change, the Courts have modified their usual operations in light of these unprecedented times and now hear many matters over teleconferencing and videoconferencing technologies.

The changes that the Ontario Small Claims Court has instituted to its usual operations are of note for both counsel and clients alike. These changes have continued to evolve since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Court progressively expanding the types of matters and hearings that will be heard.