Laws Governing Civil Lawsuits in Ontario
The Courts of Justice Act establishes the jurisdiction and organization of Ontario’s courts.
The Rules of the Small Claims Court govern Small Claims Court proceedings, while the Rules of Civil Procedure govern most ordinary Superior Court civil proceedings.
The Limitations Act, 2002 establishes limitation periods for many civil claims, subject to statutory exceptions and special rules.
Find Legal Representation for Lawsuits Against Persons or Companies
Whether you are suing an individual, recovering an unpaid business debt, defending a breach of contract claim, or responding to a lawsuit against your company, legal representation can help you understand your rights, obligations and available remedies.
LAWFULL helps the Ontario public find courthouse information, identify relevant laws and court procedures, and explore options for finding a lawyer or licensed paralegal.
Claim and Defence are filed at these locations, especially online.
Toronto uses OCPP for all filings including Divisional Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal.
All other courthouses are still using the old system.
For urgent defences with a deadline, to avoid a default, you may file in person at the courthouse.
Many filing counters are only open between 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. You should arrive by 2:45 otherwise even if you are issued a counter ticket, when the counter closes at 4 p.m., you will not be serviced.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/file-small-claims-court-documents-online
| City | Small Claims Court — Address and Telephone | Superior Court of Justice (Civil) — Address and Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 47 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto. 416-326-3554 | 330 University Avenue, Toronto. 416-327-5440 |
| Ottawa | 161 Elgin Street, 2nd Floor, Ottawa. 613-239-1079 | 161 Elgin Street, 2nd Floor, Ottawa. 613-239-1054 |
| Mississauga / Brampton | 7765 Hurontario Street, Brampton. 905-456-4701 | 7755 Hurontario Street, Brampton. 905-456-4700 |
| Hamilton | 45 Main Street East, Hamilton. 905-645-5252 | 45 Main Street East, Hamilton. 905-645-5252 |
| London | 80 Dundas Street, London. 519-660-3000 | 80 Dundas Street, London. 519-660-3000 |
| Markham / Richmond Hill | 8500 Leslie Street, Suite 395, Markham (filings); 855 Major Mackenzie Drive East, Richmond Hill (hearings). 905-731-2664 | Newmarket: 50 Eagle Street West, Newmarket. 905-853-4809 |
| Vaughan / Newmarket | 50 Eagle Street West, Newmarket. 905-853-4809 | 50 Eagle Street West, Newmarket. 905-853-4809 |
| Kitchener / Waterloo / Cambridge | 85 Frederick Street, Kitchener. 519-741-3270 | 85 Frederick Street, Kitchener. 519-741-3200 |
| Windsor | 245 Windsor Avenue, Windsor. 519-973-6620 | 245 Windsor Avenue, Windsor. 519-973-6620 |
| Oshawa | 150 Bond Street East, Oshawa. 905-743-2800 | 150 Bond Street East, Oshawa. 905-743-2800 |
| Barrie | 75 Mulcaster Street, Barrie. 705-739-6111 | 75 Mulcaster Street, Barrie. 705-739-6111 |
| Burlington | 2021 Plains Road East, Burlington. 905-637-4125 | Milton: 491 Steeles Avenue East, Milton. 905-878-4165 |
| St. Catharines | 59 Church Street, St. Catharines. 905-988-6200 | 59 Church Street, St. Catharines. 905-988-6200 |
| Guelph | 74 Woolwich Street, Guelph. 519-824-4100 | 74 Woolwich Street, Guelph. 519-824-4100 |
| Milton | 491 Steeles Avenue East, Milton. 905-878-7285 | 491 Steeles Avenue East, Milton. 905-878-4165 |
| Kingston | 5 Court Street, Kingston. 613-548-6811 | 5 Court Street, Kingston. 613-548-6811 |
| Brantford | 70 Wellington Street, Brantford. 519-752-7828 | 70 Wellington Street, Brantford. 519-752-7828 |
| Peterborough | 470 Water Street, Peterborough. 705-876-3846 | 470 Water Street, Peterborough. 705-876-3846 |
| Belleville | 15 Bridge Street West, Belleville. 613-962-9106 | 15 Bridge Street West, Belleville. 613-962-9106 |
| Sudbury | 155 Elm Street, Sudbury. 705-564-7600 | 155 Elm Street, Sudbury. 705-564-7600 |
| Thunder Bay | 125 Brodie Street North, Thunder Bay. 807-626-7100 | 125 Brodie Street North, Thunder Bay. 807-626-7100 |
| Sault Ste. Marie | 426 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie. 705-945-8000 | 426 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie. 705-945-8000 |
| Welland | 102 East Main Street, Welland. 905-735-0010 | 102 East Main Street, Welland. 905-735-0010 |
| Sarnia | 700 North Christina Street, Sarnia. 519-333-2950 | 700 North Christina Street, Sarnia. 519-333-2950 |
| North Bay | 360 Plouffe Street, North Bay. 705-495-8309 | 360 Plouffe Street, North Bay. 705-495-8309 |
| Cornwall | 29 Second Street West, Cornwall. 613-933-7500 | 29 Second Street West, Cornwall. 613-933-7500 |
| Chatham | 425 Grand Avenue West, Chatham. 519-355-2200 | 425 Grand Avenue West, Chatham. 519-355-2200 |
| Woodstock | 415 Hunter Street, Woodstock. 519-539-6187 | 415 Hunter Street, Woodstock. 519-539-6187 |
| St. Thomas | 4 Wellington Street, St. Thomas. 519-633-1720 | 4 Wellington Street, St. Thomas. 519-633-1720 |
| Stratford | 1 Huron Street, Stratford. 519-271-1850 | 1 Huron Street, Stratford. 519-271-1850 |
| Timmins | 38 Pine Street North, Timmins. 705-267-7799 | 48 Spruce Street North, Timmins. — |
| Orillia | 700 Memorial Avenue, Cottage C, Orillia. 705-326-2671 | Barrie: 75 Mulcaster Street, Barrie. 705-739-6111 |
| Orangeville | 10 Louisa Street, Orangeville. 519-941-5802 | 10 Louisa Street, Orangeville. 519-941-5802 |
| Owen Sound | 611 9th Avenue East, Owen Sound. 519-370-2430 | 611 9th Avenue East, Owen Sound. 519-370-2430 |
| Cobourg | 860 William Street, Cobourg. — | 860 William Street, Cobourg. — |
| Lindsay | 440 Kent Street West, Lindsay. — | 440 Kent Street West, Lindsay. — |
| Brockville | 41 Court House Square, Brockville. 613-341-2800 | 41 Court House Square, Brockville. 613-341-2800 |
| Pembroke | 297 Pembroke Street East, Pembroke. — | 297 Pembroke Street East, Pembroke. — |
| Simcoe | 50 Frederick Hobson VC Drive, Simcoe. — | 50 Frederick Hobson VC Drive, Simcoe. — |
| Napanee | 41 Dundas Street West, Napanee. — | 41 Dundas Street West, Napanee. — |
| Goderich | 1 Courthouse Square, Goderich. — | 1 Courthouse Square, Goderich. — |
| Bracebridge | 3A Dominion Street, Bracebridge. — | 3A Dominion Street, Bracebridge. — |
| Perth | 43 Drummond Street East, Perth. — | 43 Drummond Street East, Perth. — |
| Parry Sound | 89 James Street, Parry Sound. — | 89 James Street, Parry Sound. — |
| Kenora | 216 Water Street, Kenora. 807-468-2842 | 216 Water Street, Kenora. 807-468-2842 |
| Haileybury | 393 Main Street, Haileybury. 705-672-3321 | 393 Main Street, Haileybury. 705-672-3321 |
| Walkerton | 207 Cayley Street, Walkerton. — | 207 Cayley Street, Walkerton. — |
| Picton | 44 Union Street, Picton. — | 44 Union Street, Picton. — |
| Cayuga | 55 Munsee Street North, Cayuga. — | 55 Munsee Street North, Cayuga. — |
| L’Orignal | 1023 King Street, L’Orignal. — | 1023 King Street, L’Orignal. — |
| Fort Frances | 333 Church Street, Fort Frances. — | 333 Church Street, Fort Frances. — |
| Cochrane | 149 Fourth Avenue, Cochrane. 705-272-4256 | 149 Fourth Avenue, Cochrane. 705-272-4256 |
| Elliot Lake | 200 Ontario Avenue, Elliot Lake. 705-848-2383 | Sault Ste. Marie: 426 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie. 705-945-8000 |
| Kirkland Lake | 140 Government Road East, Kirkland Lake. 705-567-9381 | Haileybury: 393 Main Street, Haileybury. 705-672-3321 |
| Dryden | 479 Government Street, Dryden. 807-223-2348 | Kenora: 216 Water Street, Kenora. 807-468-2842 |
| Red Lake | 115 Howey Street, Red Lake. 807-727-2376 | Kenora: 216 Water Street, Kenora. 807-468-2842 |
| Alexandria | 110 Main Street North, Alexandria. — | Cornwall: 29 Second Street West, Cornwall. 613-933-7500 |
| Morrisburg | 6 Fifth Street West, Morrisburg. — | Cornwall: 29 Second Street West, Cornwall. 613-933-7500 |
| Gore Bay | 27 Phipps Street, Gore Bay. — | 27 Phipps Street, Gore Bay. |
