SMALL CLAIMS
Small Claims Court can handle actions for the payment of money or the recovery of personal property where the amount in dispute does not exceed $50,000.00, excluding interest and costs such as court fees. This limit applies to the total value of the goods or claims sought by the plaintiff, regardless of the number of defendants. If your claim exceeds $50,000.00, you may still file a claim in Small Claims Court, but you cannot split the claim into multiple cases to stay within the limit.
Examples of claims that Small Claims Court handles include:
Claims for damages (non-liquidated):
In Ontario Small Claims Court, you can pursue claims of up to $50,000.00.
A limitation period defines the time frame within which you must make a claim. The general rule is that you have two years from the date when the claim was "discovered" to initiate legal action.
For simple unpaid debts, the limitation period typically begins on the date of the last payment or the date of the invoice.
For claims involving events or damages beyond a simple unpaid debt, the limitation period generally starts from the date of the event or when you first became aware of potential damages. This determination can be subjective, so you may wish to further research the specifics of limitation periods relevant to your case.
If you are negotiating with the opposing party and are nearing your limitation date, it may be prudent to issue a claim to preserve your right to pursue legal action. You do not need to serve the claim if you reach a settlement with the opposing party. Additionally, issuing a claim can help protect your limitation period even if you cannot confirm the opposing party's address for service or if they are currently unable to pay the debt but may be able to do so in the future.
Receiving a judgment in your favor does not automatically guarantee that you will collect money from the defendant. You may need to take additional steps to enforce the judgment. To successfully collect, the individual or business must have one or more of the following:
It is advisable to assess the financial status of the defendant before initiating legal action. This will provide you with a clearer understanding of the potential challenges in collecting any judgment awarded in your favor.
A claim must be filed in the court office that meets one of the following criteria:
If you are uncertain about where to file your claim after reviewing the criteria, you can contact the courthouse where you believe the claim should be filed and speak with the court clerk to confirm the appropriate location.
Once your claim is issued, you have a specific time period to serve it. In Ontario, you must serve your claim within 6 months. If you are unable to serve the claim within this time frame, you will need to file a motion or application to request an extension for the time to serve the claim.
The timeline for resolving a lawsuit can vary based on how the other party responds and how promptly the court schedules hearings. Generally, from filing a claim and serving it, to waiting for a defense, proceeding to a settlement conference, and potentially going to trial, the process in many Small Claims Courts in Ontario may take approximately nine months to a year.
The answer is YES.
The parties can also resolve the case through informal negotiations outside of Small Claims Court, without the need for a written offer. If the case is settled this way, it is advisable for the parties to document the agreement in writing and sign it to ensure clarity and enforceability.
For claims under $3,500.00, if the parties are unable to reach an agreement at the settlement conference, they may request that a judge make a decision on the case at that conference. If the judge resolves the case at the settlement conference, the matter concludes and no trial is held.
Traffic & Provincial Offence Defence
Ontario courts resolve a wide range of traffic and provincial offence matters. This includes speeding, careless or stunt driving, driving under suspension, red-light or stop-sign violations, and other offences under the Highway Traffic Act. Courts also address provincial offences, such as municipal by-law violations, regulatory charges, and disputes over demerit points or licence suspensions.
The answer is NO.
The court cannot provide legal advice. It can explain procedures, court rules, and how cases are generally handled, but it cannot tell you how to plead, what evidence to present, or what strategy to use.
In Ontario, you generally have 15 days from the date you receive a traffic or provincial offence ticket to file a dispute or request a trial if the ticket was served in person. If the ticket was mailed to you, the deadline is usually 30 days. It’s important to act within these timelines, as missing the deadline may result in a conviction by default.
The time it takes to resolve a traffic or provincial offence matter can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the court’s schedule. Simple disputes, like minor speeding tickets, may be resolved in a single court appearance, while more complex cases, such as stunt driving or licence suspension disputes, can take several weeks or months to reach a resolution.
In Ontario, the deadline to pay a traffic or provincial offence fine or court-ordered settlement is usually 30 days from the date the ticket or order is issued, unless the court specifies a different date. If you cannot pay in full, you can often request a payment plan through the court before the deadline. Failing to pay on time may result in additional penalties, licence suspension, or collection actions.
Yes, you can request an adjournment (rescheduling) of your traffic or provincial offence court date in Ontario. You must contact the court before your scheduled appearance and provide a valid reason, such as illness, a scheduling conflict, or needing more time to prepare. The court will decide whether to grant the adjournment, and repeated or last-minute requests may be denied.
Landlord & Tenant Dispute
Landlord and tenant disputes in Ontario can be resolved at the Landlord and Tenant Board or, sometimes, in court. Common issues include eviction, lease disputes, maintenance or repair problems, harassment or illegal entry, security deposit claims, and rent disagreements. These matters are handled through hearings, negotiations, or court proceedings, with experienced legal support guiding tenants and landlords throughout.
The answer is NO.
The Landlord and Tenant Board cannot give legal advice or tell you how to present your case. The Board can explain its procedures and answer questions about forms or deadlines, but it is up to you—or your lawyer or paralegal—to decide how to handle your dispute and present your arguments.
In Ontario, once you receive a notice or application from the Landlord and Tenant Board, you generally have 7 to 14 days to file your response, depending on the type of notice. It’s important to check the specific deadlines stated on the notice or application, as missing the deadline could affect your ability to dispute the claim.
The time to resolve a landlord and tenant dispute in Ontario varies by case. Simple matters, like minor maintenance issues, may take weeks, while complex disputes, such as evictions or serious lease claims, can take months. Scheduling, evidence, negotiations, and adjournments all affect timing, and experienced legal support can help streamline the process.
The time to comply with a Landlord and Tenant Board order depends on the order itself. Payment deadlines are usually specified, and missing them can lead to enforcement, including eviction or collections. Extensions or repayment plans may be requested if done promptly and following the Board’s procedures.
Yes. You can request to adjourn or reschedule a Landlord and Tenant Board hearing by explaining your reason and providing any supporting documents. The Board may approve or deny requests, especially repeated or last-minute ones.
NOTARIZATION
A Notary Public in Toronto is a lawyer or licensed paralegal appointed by the Ontario Attorney General to witness, certify, and attest legal documents such as affidavits, powers of attorney, and contracts. They verify identities, ensure documents are signed voluntarily with full understanding, and authenticate signatures and copies with a notarial seal.
YES! Mobile notarizations hold the same legal validity as in-office notarizations. Every notarization is handled with discretion, adhering to all legal standards.
Valid government-issued ID is required. Provide one piece with a photo (e.g., driver’s licence, passport) or two non-photo IDs (e.g., SIN card, birth certificate).
Please review and bring all documents needing notarization. Our Notary Public only authenticates documents and witnesses signatures—no legal advice is provided. Do not sign documents in advance. For certified true copies, bring both the original and copies. Printing needed? Let us know before your appointment.
If you need to have a signature notarized, the person who is signing the document must come to the notary appointment to sign in the presence of a notary.
In Toronto, notaries use both red and gold seals for notarizing documents. Ontario law doesn't mandate seal colour. However, for documents intended for international use, specific requirements might necessitate using a gold seal for better recognition and visibility.
Gold Seal
The Gold seals also have practical advantages in terms of visibility through photocopying, scanning, and faxing. Gold seals retain their distinctiveness when copied or scanned, ensuring the notarization mark is clearly visible on electronic versions of the document.
Red Seal
A red seal might not be as clearly visible as a gold seal in these cases, potentially making it less suitable for documents that require electronic submission or archiving. Unlike gold seal, red seals might appear as a dark smear.
Absolutely! We authenticate signatures and identities regardless of the document's language, allowing us to serve Toronto’s diverse community with flexibility and ease.
In Toronto and across Ontario, a Notary Public may use either a notary seal or a notary stamp to authenticate documents. A seal creates a raised, embossed imprint, while a stamp leaves an inked, flat impression. Both are legally valid, with the choice depending on document requirements or jurisdictional preferences.
When visiting a notary to sign a document, their role is to verify your identity and witness your signature—not to review the document for accuracy or offer legal advice.
Witnessing requirements for a Power of Attorney vary by jurisdiction, including differences between countries, states, and provinces. Below is a general overview, with a specific note on Ontario, Canada:
General Guidelines:
Ontario, Canada:
As of April 2023, Ontario law requires two witnesses for a Continuing Power of Attorney for Property or a Power of Attorney for Personal Care. These witnesses cannot be the Principal’s spouse, partner, child, attorney, or anyone treated like a child. Always confirm current requirements or consult a legal professional, as laws may change.
Special Cases:
Tips:
COMMISSIONING
Commissioning a document means having it officially witnessed and signed by a Commissioner of Oaths, verifying that you’ve sworn or affirmed the contents to be true.
Common examples include affidavits, statutory declarations, consent letters for children travelling abroad, and certain government forms.
Valid government-issued ID is required. Provide one piece with a photo (e.g., driver’s licence, passport) or two non-photo IDs (e.g., SIN card, birth certificate).
A Notary Public can commission documents and also notarize, certify true copies, and handle international documents. A Commissioner of Oaths only handles oaths, affirmations, and statutory declarations within the province.
Yes. You must bring valid, government-issued photo ID to verify your identity.
No. Do not sign the document in advance. It must be signed in the presence of the Commissioner.
No. Commissioners and Notaries do not review documents for content or provide legal advice.
Yes. We can commission documents regardless of language, as long as we are confident you understand what you are signing.
Remote commissioning may be available depending on the document type and legal requirements. Please contact us to confirm.
If extra witnesses are needed, you must bring them to the appointment unless you choose to have us provide a second witness for an additional fee.
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