Small Claims Court Paralegal

photo of 2 paralegals outside of the small claims court in Oshawa

Small Claims Court Representation for Claims Up to $50,000

As of October 1, 2025, Ontario’s Small Claims Court handles civil disputes up to $50,000.

That is a significant increase from the previous $35,000 limit, and it means more disputes, including contractor disagreements, unpaid invoices, and business contract breaches, can now be resolved in a faster and more affordable forum than Superior Court.

As licensed paralegals, we have full authority under the Law Society of Ontario to represent you at every stage of a Small Claims proceeding. You get the same quality of representation you would expect from a law firm, at a cost that is proportional to the size of your claim.

Cases We Handle in Small Claims Court

Recovering Unpaid Invoices

If a client or customer received your goods or services and did not pay, Small Claims Court is often the most direct path to recovery. This is one of the strongest categories of claim when you have solid documentation, and one of the most common reasons clients come to us.

If you have a contract or written agreement, invoices, and a record of your attempts to collect, you likely have a strong case. We review your documentation and tell you clearly where you stand.

Breach of Contract Claims

A breach of contract occurs when the other party fails to do what they agreed to do. That could mean a contractor who took your deposit and abandoned the job, a supplier who failed to deliver, a business partner who did not honour a signed agreement, or a client who accepted your work and refused to pay.

Both written and verbal contracts can be enforceable in Ontario, though written agreements are significantly easier to prove. We assess your contract, identify the breach, quantify your losses, and build a clear case for Small Claims Court.

Contract Misrepresentation

If you were given false or misleading information to get you to enter into an agreement, and that misrepresentation resulted in a financial loss, you may have grounds for a claim. These cases require clear evidence that inaccurate information was provided, that you relied on it, and that it caused real damages.

We assess whether your situation meets the legal threshold for a misrepresentation claim and pursue it through Small Claims Court where it does.

How We Represent You in Small Claims Court

We Start by Reviewing Your Case

Before you spend money filing a claim, we review your situation. We look at what happened, what documentation you have, whether your claim falls within the two-year limitation period under Ontario’s Limitations Act, 2002, and how strong your position is. You get a clear, honest assessment before anything is filed.

We Prepare and File All of Your Documents

The Plaintiff’s Claim form has to be filed in the right courthouse, served on the defendant correctly, and drafted in a way that clearly states your case. We handle all of it. Every form, every deadline, every procedural requirement, taken care of so nothing gets missed.

We Represent You at the Settlement Conference

Ontario’s Small Claims Court requires a settlement conference before a matter goes to trial. This is a meeting with a judge where both sides present their positions and explore resolution. A large number of Small Claims matters are resolved at this stage. We attend on your behalf, present your case clearly, and negotiate the best outcome we can achieve for you.

We Take Your Case to Trial if Needed

If no agreement is reached at the settlement conference, we take your case to trial. We organize your evidence, prepare your witnesses, and argue your position before the court.

We Help You Collect After You Win

A judgment in your favour is only valuable if you can collect on it. If the other party does not pay voluntarily, we can help you pursue enforcement through tools such as wage garnishment and seizure of assets. Winning the case is the beginning, not the end.

If your dispute started as a tenancy issue, we can also help you through the Landlord and Tenant Board process.

Have questions about the process?

Call Online Paralegals LLP at (289) 985-0166

Who We Help

Small Business Owners and Contractors in Durham Region

An unpaid invoice is not just a legal problem. It is a cash flow problem that affects your entire operation. Tradespeople, contractors, agencies, and service businesses in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, and across Durham Region come to us when a client stops returning calls and the invoice goes unanswered. We move quickly so you can get paid and move on.

discussing small claims hearing with client

Individuals with Money Disputes or Property Damage

Small Claims Court is not only for businesses. If someone owes you money on a personal loan, caused damage to your property, or failed to deliver on a service you paid for, you have every right to pursue a claim. We help individuals throughout Durham Region navigate the process with confidence, at a cost that makes sense.

Why Hire a Licensed Paralegal Instead of a Lawyer for Small Claims Court?

In Ontario’s Small Claims Court, a licensed paralegal has the exact same legal authority as a lawyer. We can represent you at every stage, from filing to trial to enforcement. There is no difference in what we are permitted to do in this court. Meet our team

The practical difference is cost. Small Claims disputes typically involve amounts that do not justify the hourly rates charged by a law firm. A paralegal gives you professional, licensed representation at a fee structure that is proportional to the value of your claim. View our fee schedule to see exactly what Paralegal representation costs

We are also local. Our office is at 50 Richmond Street East in Oshawa. We know the Durham Region courthouse at 150 Bond Street East. You deal with us directly, not a rotating team of assistants, and we are reachable Monday through Friday throughout your matter.