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Judicial Decision Reasons:
The Requirement of an Explanation of the What and Why
Last Updated: July 03 2026
Question: What should a judge in Ontario’s Small Claims Court explain in the reasons for a decision, and how can a paralegal from Freed Legal Services help me understand what “what” and “why” I need for possible review?
Answer: In Ontario, a judge (including in Small Claims Court) must give reasons that clearly explain both what the court decided and why, so the parties understand the legal basis and so an appellate court can properly review the decision; for Small Claims matters, the reasons can be more brief than in higher courts, but they must still be sufficiently clear to permit judicial review; if you need help reviewing a decision, identifying gaps in the reasons, or preparing next steps, a paralegal at Freed Legal Services in Ontario can assist with practical, plain-language guidance and document organization, call (800) 716-1897 to get support and discuss your situation.
Judges Are Required to Explain the Reasons for a Decision
A judge of the Small Claims Court, like other courts, must provide details that explain the reasoning for the decisions made by the judge. Reasons for a judicial decision work to ensure that the litigative parties can appreciate the legal basis upon which the decision was made. Reasons also enable an Appeal court to review the decision, if necessary.
The Law
Court judges, including judges within the Small Claims Court, are required to provide an explanation of the reasoning for which a decision is based. This requirement was explained within Elnasr v. Mostafa, 2022 ONSC 1735, wherein it was stated:
[28] In assessing the sufficiency of the Deputy Judge’s Reasons, I acknowledge the tremendous volume of matters in the Small Claims Court as well as the informal nature of the Small Claims Court. As stated in Maple Ridge Community Management Ltd. v. Peel Condominium Corp. No. 231, 2015 ONCA 520, 389 DLR (4th) 711, at paras. 34 and 35:
[34] The Small Claims Court is mandated under s. 25 of the Courts of Justice Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.43, to “hear and determine in a summary way all questions of law and fact and may make such order as is considered just and agreeable to good conscience.” The Small Claims Court plays a vital role in the administration of justice in the province by ensuring meaningful and cost effective access to justice for cases involving relatively modest claims for damages. In order to meet its mandate, the Small Claims Court’s process and procedures are designed to ensure that it can handle a large volume of cases in an efficient and economical manner.
[35] Reasons from the Small Claims Court must be sufficiently clear to permit judicial review on appeal. They must explain to the litigants what has been decided and why: Doerr v. Sterling Paralegal, 2014 ONSC 2335, at paras. 17-19. However, appellate consideration of Small Claims Court reasons must recognize the informal nature of that court, as well as the volume of cases it handles and its statutory mandate to deal with these cases efficiently. In short, in assessing the adequacy of the reasons, context matters: Massoudinia v. Volfson, 2013 ONCA 29, at para. 9. Just as oral reasons will not necessarily be as detailed as written reasons, reasons from the Small Claims Court will not always be as thorough as those in Superior Court decisions. Failing to take the Small Claims Court context into account only serves to restrict access to justice by unnecessarily imparting formality and delay into a legal process that is designed to be informal and efficient.
[29] Or, in other words, to permit meaningful appellate review, the reasons must adequately express “what” was decided and “why” it was decided, see: Maple Ridge, at para. 24; Law Society of Upper Canada v. Neinstein, 2010 ONCA 193, at para. 61.
[30] If the reasons are not sufficiently detailed to understand “the what” and “the why” for the decision under review, then this is an error in law and the standard of review is correctness, see Maple Ridge, at para 22; Barbieri v. Mastronardi, 2014 ONCA 416, at para. 22.
Conclusion
Judges, including Small Claims Court judge, must explain the basis for a decision. While the explanation of reasons in a Small Claims Court case may be brief compared to explanations expected from higher courts, the explanation must be sufficient to enable review by an Appeal court.
NOTE: A considerable quantity of online searches featuring “lawyers near me” or “best lawyer in” typically signifies a demand for prompt and competent legal assistance, rather than a specific job title. In Ontario, “licensed paralegals” are governed by the same Law Society that supervises lawyers and have the authority to represent clients in specific litigation cases. Key elements of this role include advocacy, legal analysis, and procedural expertise. Freed Legal Services provides legal representation within its licensed framework, focusing on strategic positioning, evidentiary preparation, and persuasive advocacy aimed at securing effective and positive outcomes for clients.
