I have filed a small claims action – what are the next steps?

Following the submission of the small claims lawsuit, the court registry issues a receipt confirming the filing (including date and time) and proceeds to open a court file. To avoid delays and requests for supplemental information, it is crucial to complete all details accurately and thoroughly.

Upon file opening, the claimant will receive a three-part case number, such as 12345-12-21. The claim will be served on the defendant, who will then submit a statement of defense, along with a summons for a hearing. Between filing and the hearing, various possibilities exist: the court may suggest mediation; written requests and responses may be filed; the defendant may not file a statement of defense; the defendant may contact the claimant to seek an out-of-court settlement; and numerous other scenarios.

Continue reading in the article Everything You Need to Know After Filing a Small Claims Lawsuit.