Getting Started in Small Claims Court:

Question: How do I start a Small Claims Court lawsuit in Ontario and get a paralegal to help me with the Plaintiff’s Claim form 7A without making costly mistakes?

Answer: ?

Answer: Freed Legal Services can help you in Ontario Small Claims Court by reviewing the facts you should include for your Plaintiff’s Claim (Form 7A), confirming the right information to avoid early procedural errors, and guiding you on key steps before you commence proceedings under Rule 7 of the Rules of the Small Claims Court.   If you’re worried about outcomes like a counterclaim, a third party claim, a name or party error, or costs being awarded against you, Freed Legal Services can also help you prepare for what may happen next so you can move forward with a clear plan.   For a practical, step-by-step consultation with a paralegal, call (800) 716-1897.

Commencing Proceedings and Retaining Legal Counsel for Small Claims Court

Starting a lawsuit in Small Claims Court requires the preparation of, and issuance of, a Plaintiff's Claim document. The Plaintiff's Claim is a form, known as Form 7A, and is available online.  The primary parts of the form are relatively easy involving simple fill in the blanks information.  The more challenging aspect of starting a lawsuit is knowing what parts of the story to say and what parts of the story to avoid saying, or at least to avoid in the beginning.  There are many rules regarding the manner of what should be provided.  The rules on starting a Small Claims Court lawsuit, referred to formally as commencing a proceeding, are found in Rule 7 of the Rules of the Small Claims Court.

Although many people think of the Small Claims Court as relatively informal, and some legal issues are simple enough that laypeople can handle a case without needing assistance from a lawyer or paralegal, there are concerns to think about.  Concerns to think carefully about include:

• What if I lose?
• What if the Defendant brings a third party claim?
• What if I get the name of someone wrong?
• What if a counterclaim is brought?
• What if the case becomes more complicated than first expected?
• What if legal costs are awarded against me?

The above questions, and many more, deserve careful review before haphazardly starting a lawsuit.  Understanding and carefully reviewing the potential complications, considerations, and consequences, before starting a lawsuit is highly important.