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Ontario Small Claims Court · claims up to $50,000

You were served. The clock is 20 days.

A defence (Form 9A) must be filed within 20 days of service (rule 9.01). No defence means the plaintiff can ask for judgment without you (rules 11.01, 11.02). You can dispute all of it, part of it, or admit it and propose payments (rule 9.03).

Fill the defence (Form 9A), free The served guide

What you have to show

  1. 1. Why you do not owe the amount, or owe less, in plain facts.
  2. 2. Any money you paid already.
  3. 3. If they owe you something too: a Defendant's Claim (Form 10A) within 20 days after the defence (rule 10.01(2)).

Documents that help

  • • The claim as served, with the date it reached you.
  • • The contract and payment records.
  • • Messages that show the real story.

The route

Fill Form 9A here, free. File it in the court named on the claim and serve a copy on the plaintiff. The Defence Package ($49) tightens the reasons and does the payment-proposal math.

Deadline. 20 days from service, counted under rule 3.01: exclude the first day, include the last, roll over holidays.

From here to paid

DefendForm 9A in 20 days, free. Defence Package $49.Counter-claimIf they owe you: Form 10A within 20 days after the defence.ConferenceMandatory. The package builds the brief and the document book, $99.A lawyerCheck $199, call $149, or a full-representation intake.

Questions people ask

How many days do I have to respond to a Small Claims Court claim in Ontario?
You have 20 days after service to serve and file a Defence (Form 9A) (rule 9.01). Count the days by rule 3.01: exclude the day of service, include the last day, and roll a holiday to the next non-holiday. The fee to file a Defence is $77 (O. Reg. 332/16, as stored 2026-01-06). A fee waiver is available if you qualify (O. Reg. 2/05).
What happens if I do not file a Defence?
The plaintiff can ask the clerk to note you in default (rule 11.01). For a claim with a set amount, the clerk can sign a Default Judgment without a trial (rule 11.02). For other claims, a judge sets the amount at an assessment (rule 11.03). You can ask the court to set aside a default judgment, but you must move fast and show a real defence (rule 11.06).
Can I make a claim against the plaintiff?
Yes. A Defendant's Claim (Form 10A) lets you claim against the plaintiff, or against another person connected to the same events (rule 10.01). You can issue it within 20 days after you file your Defence; after that, you need the court's leave (rule 10.01(2)). The fee is $108 (O. Reg. 332/16, as stored 2026-01-06). Attach the documents you rely on.
Can I admit the claim and pay in instalments?
Yes. In the Defence, you can admit all or part of the claim and propose terms of payment (rule 9.03). If the plaintiff does not dispute the terms within 20 days, the terms bind [VERIFY rule 9.03]. If the plaintiff disputes them, the court holds a terms-of-payment hearing [VERIFY rule 9.03(3) and Form 9B]. Bring proof of your income and your expenses.
What is a settlement conference and do I have to go?
A settlement conference is a meeting with a judge in every defended action (rule 13.01(1)). The clerk sets it within 90 days after the first Defence is filed (rule 13.01(3)). You must take part, and you need authority to settle (rule 13.02). At least 14 days before, serve and file your documents and a Form 13A witness list (rule 13.03(2)). Most conferences run by video.

Other situations

Legal information, not legal advice. Rules cited are from the Rules of the Small Claims Court, O. Reg. 258/98, and the Limitations Act, 2002. Items marked [VERIFY] have not been checked against the current consolidation. Legal services provided by Mithril Law — Jonathan Kleiman, licensed Ontario lawyer.