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Navigating the Ontario Court SystemBy Joel Levitt
Fryer Levitt Lawyers 421 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 2 Toronto, Ontario, M5N 1A4
www.fryerlevitt.com
Step 1 : Avoid the Court System
• Costs– Legal
– Time expended
– Man Hours lost
• Resolution time– Small Claims Court 6 months to a year
– Superior Court - Simplified Rules 1- 2 years
– Superior Court - Ordinary Procedure 2 years and up
Step 2 : Limitation Periods
• The Limitations Act, 2002– Came into force in 2004
– In large part sets two year time limit to commence action
– Two years from when
• Extending the Limitation period– Acknowledgements of debt
Step 2 : Limitation Periods
• Section 13 The Limitations Act• If a person acknowledges liability in respect of a
claim for payment of a liquidated sum, the act or omission on which the claim is based shall be deemed to have taken place on the day on which the acknowledgment was made.
• An acknowledgment of liability in respect of a claim for interest is an acknowledgment of liability in respect of a claim for the principal and for interest falling due after the acknowledgment is made.
Small Claims Court
• Dollar Limitation– $0-$25,000.00
• Legal Limitation– Cannot seek declarations
Small Claims Court
• Step A Pleadings– Plaintiff’s Claim include documents
• Where to start action
• Default Jurisdiction is where Defendant resides
• Plaintiff can seek to change jurisdiction
– Defence 20 days after service
– Defendant’s Claim 20 days after filing of Defence
– Default Judgment if no Defence
Small Claims Court
• Step B
Settlement Conference– Preparation
• Documentation and Witness list
• Witness Statements
• Offers to Settle and Cost Consequences (Double Costs = 30%)
– Attendance
• Client attendance required – by telephone as an option
• Short summary of action
• All Documents should be available
• Settlement strategy – bottom line
Small Claims Court
• Step C
Trial– Preparation
• Additional Documentation at least 30 days in advance
• Witness - Summons, Affidavits, Signed Statements
• Offer to Settle - if not previously made
– Attendance
• All witnesses unless appearing by Affidavit or signed statement
Small Claims Court
• Step D - within 30 days
Appeal
Divisional Court
Error of law
Rehearing
Small Claims-
New evidence
Superior Court of Justice
• Dollar Limitations– $25,000 and up
• Legal Limitations– None
Superior Court of Justice
• Choice of Procedure
Simplified Procedure
Mandatory if claim under $100,000.00
Superior Court of Justice
• Simplified Procedure– Must be used for cases under $100,000.00
– Cost Consequences if fail to use
– Can be used for cases over $100,000.00
– Advantages
• Speed
• Cost
– Disadvantages
• Difficult for fact or paper intensive cases because of limited discovery
Superior Court of Justice
• Simplified Rules (76)– Must be used for cases under $1000,000.00
– Can be used for cases over $100,000.00
– Advantages
• Speed
• Cost
– Disadvantages
• Element of surprise
• Difficult for fact or paper intensive cases
Superior Court of Justice
• Steps under Simplified Procedure
Pleadings
Documentary
Discovery
Examinations
for Discove
ry
Mediation
Pre- Trial
Trial
Superior Court of Justice
• Documentary Discovery• Production and delivery of all relevant documents
• Delivery of complete Witness list including full contact information for each witness
• Examinations for Discovery• Limited to two hours per side
Superior Court of Justice
• Mediation• Out of Court
• Private without prejudice settlement discussion
• Must take place prior to trial
• Should take place prior to pre-trial
• Toronto Mediation Office as effective tool to avoid a stalling Defendant
• Mediation Briefs
• Mediation Strategy
Superior Court of Justice
• Pre-Trial• In court before Master or Judge
• Private without prejudice settlement discussion
• Must take place prior to trial
• Used to settle and/or narrow issues
• Court can make only procedural orders
• Court cannot force settlement
• Offers to Settle and cost consequences
Superior Court of Justice
• Type of Trials
Ordinary Trial Summary Trial
Affidavit Evidence
Limited Exam & Cross10/50 rule
Superior Court of Justice
• Ordinary Procedure• Discovery Plan
• Documentary Discovery
– Copies only if other side pays
– No Witness List required
• Motions
• Examinations
– Limited to 7 hours per side
• Trials
– Regular trial only – jury trials available
Superior Court of Justice
• I MADE IT THROUGH BUT WHERE‘S MY MONEY?
• Collection• Garnishments – Bank Accounts, Contracts, Wages (20%)
• Writs of Seizure and Sale – Land or Personal Property – 6 years – Sheriffs Sale
• Judgment Debtor Examinations – 1 per year
Small Claims Court Forms www/ontariocourtforms.on.ca/english/scc
Small Claims Court Forms Assistant https://formsassistant.ontariocourtforms.on.ca/
Date Calculator For Default Judgments etc.. www.timeanddate.com
Applicable Interest Rates www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/courts/interestrates.asp
Applicable Interest Rates Pre- Judgment
Applicable Interest Rates Post- Judgment