The government of Ontario recently announced that, as of January
1, 2020, the maximum amount a plaintiff can seek in the Ontario
Small Claims Court will be raised from $25,000 to $35,000. Civil
claims for more than $35,000 must be filed with the Ontario
Superior Court of Justice.
Claims made in the Small Claims Court follow a simplified
process governed by the Rules of the Small Claims Court,
whereas Superior Court claims are governed by the Rules of
Civil Procedure and include additional steps such as
examinations for discovery. A press release from the office of the Ministry
of the Attorney General states that the increase to the maximum
claim will "make it faster, easier and more affordable for
people and businesses to resolve their disputes in front of a
judge." The press release notes that, contrary to Superior
Court cases, which can take years to resolve, Small Claims Court
cases are often concluded in less than a year.
