What is the maximum amount I can sue for in Ontario Small Claims Court?
Ontario's Small Claims Court hears civil disputes where the amount claimed is $35,000 or less, not counting interest and court costs. If your loss is higher than that ceiling, you have a choice: you can voluntarily reduce your claim to fit within the limit, but you permanently give up the right to recover the excess. Alternatively, you can pursue the full amount in the Superior Court of Justice, where the procedures are more formal and legal fees tend to be higher.
The $35,000 limit applies to money claims only. You cannot use Small Claims Court to force someone to do something (an injunction) or to resolve a property ownership dispute — those matters belong in the Superior Court regardless of dollar value.
If you are unsure whether your loss fits within the limit or whether reducing it makes financial sense after accounting for legal costs, speaking with a lawyer before filing can save you from a costly misstep.
Key takeaways
- Small Claims Court handles money claims up to $35,000 (excluding interest and costs).
- Reducing a claim to fit the limit permanently waives the excess.
- Injunctions and ownership disputes are outside Small Claims Court regardless of value.
- Superior Court handles claims above $35,000 but involves higher procedural complexity.