TORONTO — The province is raising the claim limit for cases eligible to be taken to Small Claims Court.
The existing limit of $25,000 will be increased to $35,000 effective Jan. 1, 2020.
Currently, all claims over $25,000 must be taken to the Superior Court of Justice, where litigation can take much longer and can require costly legal representation.
In Small Claims Court, cases can often be resolved in less than a year, and claimants are not required to hire lawyers.
In an announcement Wednesday, Attorney General Doug Downey said increasing the eligibility limit for small claims means more people will be able to file and respond to claims using less expensive representation such as paralegals and law students, or representing themselves.
Colleen Wansbrough, a spokesperson for the Ontario Paralegal Association, called the change "a great step forward," saying it will reduce wait times in courtrooms.
The government said the move should also reduce wait times in Superior Court, as many civil cases that would have started there will now be diverted to Small Claims Court, leaving more resources to be applied to other pressing cases including criminal and family cases.
Litigants who have already started a claim in Superior Court may now apply to transfer their case to Small Claims Court if the claim falls within the new monetary threshold.
