Small Claims Court Jurisdiction Increasing To $50,000: Options For Existing Plaintiffs

The Small Claims Court jurisdiction will increase to $50,000, from the current $35,000, on October 1, 2025. As of that date, plaintiffs in Ontario may start an action in the Small Claims Court for monetary compensation of up to $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs.

While this change will expand access to the Small Claims Court for new plaintiffs, it may also have an effect on existing claims. Plaintiffs in existing Small Claims Court actions will be able to amend their claim to increase their request for monetary compensation up to the new limit of $50,000. On the other hand, Plaintiffs in existing Superior Court actions for $50,000 or less should consider trying to transfer their action to Small Claims Court, particularly to avoid potential adverse cost consequences.