Also sometimes known as county or magistrate courts, small claims courts exist so that civil cases between private parties can be tried. Small claims cases involve monetary amounts that are relatively small. In some cases, small claims courts may also handle other functions, as is true in Toronto as well. They operate independently of superior courts.
The types of claims presented before these types of courts are those of values not exceeding $25,000. Wages owed in lieu of notice by an employer, tenant and landlord disputes, compensation for poor service rendered like in the case of plumbers and compensation for the damage of delivered goods like DVD players are some of the claims brought before a small claims court.
Before you can bring a claim before the court, you need to have attempted to settle your dispute beforehand and have proof of this otherwise you will be penalized by the court. Try to contact the person or persons to negotiate an amicable resolution. If all means to resolve your dispute fails within the one month legal period then write out the particulars of your claim in detail and seek legal representation. Your lawyer will in turn present this to the court. It is also prudent on your part to warn the other party that you will be taking court action.
There are some things you need to bring with you to present your case before small claims court. First, prepare two copies of your claim, one for yourself and then one for the court. You’ll also need to pay a court fee to file a claim. This claim form is served to the defendant. You can do this yourself if you wish once the court has stamped the document. There’s other documentation as well that’s involved in the small claims process.
Once the court has decided it’s going to hear your case, you’ll be notified of a final hearing, and the data will happen. Two weeks before the final hearing, send any copies of documents you’ll be presenting during your case to the court. Again, if you don’t send these documents, your case is going to be postponed and you’ll incur penalties as well. One of the things that may happen is that you may have to pay the cost of the suit in their entirety. Your lawyer will be able to help you navigate your way through this process, and tell you what happens next. The court will set a hearing date, and if you can’t attend the hearing, you’ll need to send this notification to them in writing and state your reasons as to why you can’t attend.
It can be very frustrating indeed if you don’t have proper legal representation. When the verdict is handed down, it is deemed final. It’s not subject to appeal unless an irregularity has been found in the proceedings or the court did not adhere to the law as it pertained to claim. Only a good lawyer is going to be able to help you find your way through this process. If the defendant is a cooperative, and refuses to cooperate with the court’s ruling, you’ll waste your time and money in small claims court and may force transfer to a higher court. Besides that, you may lose out on monies owed you that were the original subject of your claim. Because of that, it’s very important that you get a good lawyer so that you don’t experience these difficulties.
Before you hire a lawyer, make sure you check Melissa Weber website, she is aSmall claims court Toronto that specializes in the GTA area

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