What is the monetary limit for Small Claims Court in Ontario?

Ontario's Small Claims Court handles civil claims up to a monetary limit, which has been set at $35,000. If your claim is for an amount equal to or less than that threshold, Small Claims Court is generally the appropriate venue. You can also voluntarily reduce your claim to fit within the limit and sue in Small Claims Court if you prefer its simplified procedure, though you permanently give up any recovery above the limit.

Small Claims Court is designed to be more accessible and less formal than the Superior Court of Justice. The rules of procedure and evidence are simplified, filing fees are lower, and self-represented parties are common. Cases move faster than in Superior Court, and the process is designed so that non-lawyers can navigate it with reasonable difficulty.

If your claim exceeds $35,000 but is not a large or complex case, it will be heard in the Superior Court of Justice. The simplified procedure (Rule 76) applies to Superior Court claims between $35,000 and $200,000 and offers a somewhat streamlined version of full civil procedure. Claims above that level proceed under the standard Rules of Civil Procedure. Choosing the right court for your claim affects cost, speed, and procedural complexity, so it is worth discussing with a lawyer, especially if your claim is near a threshold amount.