Small claims: the court where everyone represents themselves
In small claims (claims of $15,000 or less), representation by a lawyer is generally excluded by the law itself : going in alone is not a failure of the system · it is how it is meant to work. What separates the cases: organized evidence.
The package that prepares itself
- The timeline : every fact dated, from first contact to the dispute, on a timeline the court reads in minutes.
- Complete conversations : screenshots imported with the overlap method, never three cherry-picked messages out of two hundred.
- Numbered exhibits : contracts, invoices, photos, each with its digital fingerprint and dates.
- The express file : a single document, timeline plus appendices, ready to print.
In the app: case type “Other”: log, import, and generate the express file. Open the app (free).
Learn more: the Library
- Small claims in Quebec, the essentials : the complete overview (ceiling, demand letter, filing, hearing, enforcement)
- Small claims: the general process and how to build your evidence file
- How to document digital evidence that holds up
- Representing yourself: a short glossary of the basics
General information: the exact small-claims conditions (amounts, eligibility, procedure) are on the official websites of Québec's Ministry of Justice.
Questions about small claims
Short answers, dated and sourced. General information, never legal advice.
- Are there free training sessions to prepare for small claims?
- Can I appeal a small claims judgment?
- Can I claim child support in small claims?
- Can I claim interest on top of the amount?
- Can I find out what the debtor owns before seizing?
- Can I have a lawyer in small claims court?
- Can I split my claim to stay under $15,000?
- Can I sue a city or the government in small claims?
- Can I sue back the person who is suing me?
- Can I sue for defamation in small claims?
- Can I sue my landlord in small claims?
- Can my business sue in small claims court?
- Can someone help me fill out the form for free?
- Can you get a judgment without a hearing?
- Do I have to pay my witness in small claims?
- Do I have to send the formal notice by registered mail?
- Does small claims mediation cost anything?
- How do I bring a witness to small claims?
- How do I file a small claims application online?
- How do I find a business's real legal name to sue it?
- How do I garnish the wages of someone who isn't paying me?
- How do I get a copy of the small claims judgment?
- How long after the hearing will I get the judgment?
- How long do I have to sue someone who owes me money?
- How long does the person have to pay me after the judgment?
- How much can be garnished from a salary in Quebec?
- How much can I claim in small claims court?
- How much does it cost to file a small claims application?
- I bought a debt can I claim it in small claims?
- I can't be there on the day of the hearing what do I do?
- I got a default judgment can I have it cancelled?
- I received a small claims application how long do I have to respond?
- I'm being sued in the Court of Quebec can it be transferred to small claims?
- Is a formal notice mandatory before small claims?
- Is mediation mandatory in small claims?
- The person isn't paying me after the judgment what do I do?
- What do I have to write in a formal notice?
- What evidence can I file in small claims?
- What happens if I don't respond to a small claims lawsuit?
- What is arbitration in small claims?
- What is the time limit to sue for a latent defect?
- What kinds of claims are accepted in small claims?
- When do I have to file my evidence in small claims?
- Which courthouse do I have to file my application in?
- Will I get my court costs back if I win?