On October 23, 2019, the Attorney General for the Ontario government announced that as of January 1, 2020, the Superior Court of Justice Small Claims Court which handles all civil litigation for monetary damages under the jurisdiction of $25,000 will increase by $10,000 to a new limit of $35,000, exclusive of interest and costs. This change came as a surprise to many, though it was welcomed. Currently, claims for $25,001 up to $100,000 are being heard in simplified procedure with a more formal and lengthy litigation process. This increase to the Small Claims Court jurisdiction to $35,000 will ease the strain on Ontarian's as well as assist in relieving the backlog in simplified procedure hearings.
In addition to the above, if you currently have a matter between $25,001 to $35,000, in simplified procedure and your matter meets the considerations of transferring a matter within the meaning subsection 23(2) of the Courts of Justice Act,R.S.O. 1990. c. C.43 and of Rule 76 Simplified Procedure you may qualify your matter to be transferred to the Small Claims Court on or after January 1, 2020, to save money on fees as well as to speed up your matter.