The Small Claims Court Claim Limit is Increasing

The Ontario government has announced an increase in the maximum claim limit for the Small Claims Court from $25,000 to $35,000 effective January 1, 2020. The change will allow parties claiming damages between $26,000 and $35,000 to take advantage of the cheaper and faster Small Claims Court process without reducing their claimed amount. The minimum amount of a claim that may be appealed to the Divisional Court will also increase from $2,500 to $3,500. The change is seen as a positive step in making the court system more accessible and cost-effective. However, the impact on existing claims and whether they can be amended to increase the amount claimed remains uncertain.