How to choose a Small Claims Court paralegal in Toronto
By Misbah Shajjan, Licensed Paralegal. Updated November 8, 2026.
To choose a Small Claims Court paralegal in Toronto, confirm the licence in the Law Society of Ontario directory, ask whether the quoted fee runs through trial, find out who will attend court for you, and ask about claims like yours. Small Claims Court hears money claims up to $50,000, and licensed paralegals can represent you there.
Check the licence first
Only a paralegal licensed by the Law Society of Ontario can represent you for a fee in Small Claims Court. Search the name in the free Law Society directory at lsodirectory.lso.ca and confirm that the status is active and the licence is a P1 paralegal licence.
Our licensee, Misbah Shajjan, is listed under licence P20257.
Ask what the fee covers
Prices are hard to compare because firms quote different stages. One quote may cover only drafting the claim, with the settlement conference and the trial billed separately. Before you compare numbers, ask each firm the same questions.
- Does the fee include the demand letter, the claim, the settlement conference and the trial?
- Is it a flat fee or an hourly estimate?
- Are HST and court filing fees included?
- What does collecting the judgment cost if the other side will not pay?
Find out who will actually do the work
Ask who will prepare your documents and who will stand up for you at the settlement conference and trial. In a larger office that can be someone other than the person you met. At our practice, you work directly with Misbah Shajjan.
Ask about claims like yours
Unpaid invoices, renovation disputes, private loans and defending a claim all call for different evidence. Ask how the paralegal would prove your claim, what is weak about it, and whether they think it is worth suing at all. A good answer includes the problems as well as the strengths.
Read reviews, and read them closely
Star ratings tell you little by themselves. Look for reviews that describe a case like yours and mention communication and preparation. Past results never guarantee the outcome of a new case.
Know when you need a lawyer instead
Claims above $50,000 belong in the Superior Court of Justice, where paralegals cannot represent you. You can give up the excess to stay in Small Claims Court, but ask first whether that makes sense. A paralegal should tell you plainly if your case is outside what they are allowed to do.
Questions
How much does a Small Claims Court paralegal cost in Toronto?
Fees vary, and many firms price each stage separately. Our flat fee is $2,500 plus HST for one claim or one defence, from the demand letter through trial. Court filing fees are extra.
Do I need a paralegal for Small Claims Court?
No. You can represent yourself. Many people hire a paralegal because procedure, evidence and collecting the money after judgment are where cases are lost.
Where is the Toronto Small Claims Court?
At 47 Sheppard Avenue East in North York, near Sheppard-Yonge station.
Need help with this? See our Small Claims Court service.
This guide is general information, not legal advice about your situation.