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In small claims court, you can sue for money or the return of personal property valued at $35,000 or less, not including interest and costs.

To sue a person or business in small claims court, your lawsuit, called a claim, must fall into one of the two following categories:

1. Claims for money owed under an agreement

   • Unpaid accounts for goods or services sold and delivered

   • Unpaid loans

   • Breach of Contract

   • Breach of Duty

2. Claims for damages, such as,

   • property damage caused by another person

If you want to sue for more than $35,000, you will have to take your case to the Superior Court of Justice (“civil court”). Read about suing and being sued in civil court. The Courts allow for Plaintiff's to waive an amount in excess over $35,000 in order to proceed in Small Claims court. Often this occurs where the total claim amount is slightly over the maximum amount allowed by Small Claims Court in order to save costs associated with representation.

Starting April 30, 2018, landlords of most private residential rental units – from individuals to property management companies – must use the standard lease template, for all new leases.

The standard lease does not apply to care homes, sites in mobile home parks and land lease communities, most social and supportive housing, certain other special tenancies and co-operative housing.

It is written in easy-to-understand language and includes information such as:

• the rent amount and when it’s due

• what’s included in the rent (for example, air conditioning or parking)

• rules or terms about the rental unit or building (for example, no smoking)

It also has a section on renter and landlord rights and responsibilities, and explains what can (and cannot) be included in a lease. For example:

• who’s responsible for maintenance and repairs

• when your landlord can enter your unit

• that landlords can’t ban guests or pets

Tribunals of Ontario is a cluster of tribunals which handle a variety of issues faced by Ontarians. This includes:

• Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario

• Assessment Review Board

• Animal Care Review Board

• Fire Safety Commission

• License Appeal Tribunal

• Ontario Civilian Police Commission

• Ontario Special Education Tribunal (English and French)

• Social Benefits Tribunal (ODSP, Ontario Works)

• Labour Relations Board

All matters above are heard before the respective tribunal and the Adjudicator. An adjudicator acts as the authoritative figure and issues rulings similar to that of a Judge or Justice of the Peace. Adjudicators have extensive experience in the area of law that they adjudicate over (ie; a Human Rights Adjudicator may have worked as a human rights Lawyer prior to becoming an Adjudicator).

Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies and are generally less formal than Courts, with less strict rules of evidence and different procedural practices.

Paralegals are permitted to appear before certain criminal matters, specifically straight summary convictions and Hybrid offences proceeded summarily.

The following outlines the scope of a paralegal with respect to permitted criminal offences.

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of common tasks Paralegals are required to complete.

• Assisting Lawyers in tasks involved in legal and administrative activities:

• Gathering and analyzing important data (e.g. declarations, precedents, and applicable laws) for a case;

• preparing affidavits and other legal documents for Lawyers, Paralegals, Clients and the Courts;

• maintaining all documents organized in electronic and paper filing systems;

• maintaining the legal library of the office;

• directing and coordinating the activities of interns;

• Preparing supporting material for trials and courts;

• Investigating facts and precedents that are relevant to cases;

• documenting and drafting reports based on evidence and past cases analyses in order to provide Lawyers with the necessary information for a case;

• writing court briefs, and pleadings;

• filing and submitting legal documents when necessary;

• meeting with clients and Lawyers or other Paralegals to discuss the details of a case;

• calling upon witnesses to testify in hearings; and

• transcribing declarations and testimonies that may be relevant.

• Representing clients in legal matters where permitted by provincial law:

• Providing legal advice and representation to clients in matters covered by their scope of practice.

• Staying updated with the latest passing bills and legislation.