Small Claims Court On The Rise

There are some upcoming changes to the Small Claims Court procedures coming into effect on October 1, 2025.

For those unfamiliar with civil procedure, Small Claims Court is a branch of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The first step in any civil matter is to determine which court has jurisdiction. Currently, there are 3 ways to proceed through the court system; simplified procedure for claims up to $200,000; regular procedure for claims of any amount – there is no maximum threshold; and Small Claims Court for monetary claims under $35,000.

Small Claims Court is often a more appealing choice to navigate the legal system due to the quicker, simpler, and more affordable process. Currently, the monetary limit an individual can claim in Small Claims Court is $35,000.00, however, as of October 1, 2025, the amendment Ontario Regulation 626/00 increases that limit to $50,000.

What does this mean for claimants? Under the old Rules, the courts would see many plaintiffs often choosing to write off thousands of dollars in damages in order for their matter to be heard in Small Claims Court. The new change allows for a larger threshold, and less loss to claimants.

The changes are also being implemented to keep up with today’s economy, and to improve access to justice for individuals, all while easing the strain of the higher courts. The last increase to the claim limit was made in 2020 when the limit increased from $25,000 to the current $35,000.