Civil Cases: Suing and Being Sued in the Superior Court of Justice

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ALERT: Documents for civil (non-criminal) cases to be served on the Crown must now be served by email. This includes Ministers of the Crown (as well as the Attorney General of Ontario), the Children’s Lawyer, the Public Guardian and Trustee and the Director of the Family Responsibility Office. Learn more: https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/courts/guides/Guide_to_Serving_Documents_EN.html#_Toc441141484
Suspended limitation periods and procedural time periods will resume on September 14, 2020. Where possible, consider online filing of civil or small claims and family law matters. You may be able to file by email for the Superior Court of Justice or the Ontario Court of Justice.

An Introduction to Civil Cases in the Superior Court of Justice

  1. Flowcharts - What's New? Changes to the Rules of Civil Procedure (PDF)
  2. What is a civil case?
  3. Who can help me with my civil case?
  4. Things to consider before deciding whether to sue
    1. IS there an alternative to starting a lawsuit?
    2. WHOM do you want to sue?
    3. WHERE should you sue?
    4. WHAT information do you have to support your claim?
    5. WHEN should you sue?
    6. HOW much will it cost you to make a claim
  5. An overview of laws, rules and forms in civil cases
  6. Steps in a civil action
    1. Bringing a claim
    2. Defending a claim
    3. Discovery
    4. Setting the action down for trial
    5. Pre-trial conference
    6. The Trial
  7. Particular proceedings
    1. Simplified Procedure under Rule 76 (PDF)
    2. Civil Case Management under Rule 77 (PDF)
    3. Mandatory Mediation under rules 24.1 and 75.1 (PDF)
  8. Obtaining copies of a judgment
  9. Searching for information about court files
  10. Related Links