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Practical Law Guide — Quebec

How to Use Small Claims Court in Quebec

Recover up to $15,000 without a lawyer — demand letter, filing, mandatory mediation, hearing and enforcement. Complete guide 2026.

Maximum amount

$15,000

Not counting interest. Beyond that: Court of Québec or Superior Court.

Lawyer

Not required

You represent yourself at the hearing. A lawyer may advise you before.

Limitation period

3 years

Generally. Verify for your specific situation — varies by type of claim.

Appeal

No appeal

Judgment is generally final. Retraction possible for default judgments only.

A contractor who disappears with your deposit. A landlord who refuses to return your security deposit. A merchant who won't honour their warranty. These situations happen to tens of thousands of Quebecers every year — and most give up because they don't know where to start.

The Small Claims Division of the Court of Québec exists for exactly these situations: sue for up to $15,000, without a lawyer, without legal jargon. This guide walks you through every step — with AI tools to help you prepare.

Before you begin

What you need to know

✓ Who can file

Any individual. Businesses with 10 employees or fewer in the last 12 months. Businesses with more than 10 employees cannot use small claims court.

✓ What small claims court can hear

Breached contracts, poorly executed work, property damage, refused refunds, unpaid invoices, hidden defects, warranties not honoured, unreturned deposits.

Other tribunals apply for: residential lease disputes → Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL). Child support, divorce, custody → Superior Court. $15,000.01 to $74,999 → Court of Québec (exclusive jurisdiction). $75,000 to $99,999 → Court of Québec or Superior Court. $100,000+ → Superior Court.

Limitation period: generally 3 years from the events (varies by claim type). A demand letter does NOT stop the clock — only filing in court does.

Your AI toolkit

Three AI tools — three distinct roles

🔍 Analysis

Gemini (Google)

Your analyst. Breaks down your situation, identifies deadlines, helps you understand what's happening in your file. Ask it to organize your facts.

✏️ Drafting

ChatGPT (OpenAI)

Your secretary. Drafts your demand letter, formal emails, and the summary of facts for form SJ-870E. Give it your facts and ask it to write.

🧪 Preparation

Claude (Anthropic)

Your preparation coach. Tests the strength of your file, anticipates the other party's arguments, and helps you prepare what you'll say at the hearing.

In practice: Gemini analyzes → ChatGPT drafts → Claude refines and anticipates. These tools don't replace a lawyer and don't provide legal advice. Always verify deadlines and fees with the clerk's office.

The 5 steps

How to recover your money — step by step

Send a formal notice (demand letter) — ChatGPT

Before filing, send a formal notice to the other party. Not always a strict legal requirement, but it often resolves the problem and shows good faith. Give 10 days to pay. Send by registered mail for easy proof. ⚠️ Always use the defendant's exact legal name — verify on the Quebec Enterprise Registry. See also: how to write a formal notice — Éducaloi.

File your claim — form SJ-870E (Gemini + official form)

If the demand letter didn't resolve the issue, file your claim using the official form SJ-870E, available free online. Pay the filing fees by credit card, debit, cash, or certified cheque — personal cheques not accepted. Recipients of last-resort financial assistance are exempt from fees. File in the judicial district of the defendant. Filing is confirmed once the form and payment are received by the clerk's office.

Mediation — mandatory in some districts (Claude)

Since 2025, in many judicial districts, mediation is mandatory for contested claims of $5,000 or less. If no agreement is reached, the file may be directed toward arbitration. For claims over $5,000, mediation is generally offered voluntarily. You don't need to register — the courthouse connects you with a mediator. Free, confidential, in person or remote. Check if your district is covered →

Prepare your hearing — Claude

You'll receive a notice at least 6 weeks before. File your evidence in advance with form SJ-840 — verify the exact deadline in your summons notice. Past that deadline, the judge may refuse your documents. Bring 3 copies of each document. Speak to the judge, not to the other party. Stay factual, chronological, calm.

Enforce the judgment — Gemini

The debtor has 30 days to pay (10 days for a default judgment). If they don't: wage garnishment (form SJ-1103 — no bailiff needed for small claims), bank account seizure, movable property seizure. Use form SJ-137 to summon the debtor for a post-judgment examination if you don't know where to seize. Enforcement fees added to debtor's debt.

Filing fees 2026

Filing fees — updated January 1st each year

Always verify the official rate in effect at time of filing. Fees are reimbursed if you win.

          Amount claimedIndividualCorporation
        

$0.01 – $5,000 ~$121 ~$191

$5,000.01 – $10,000 ~$223 ~$318

$10,000.01 – $15,000 ~$241 ~$382

Enforcement fee: ~$52 (individual) / ~$63.75 (corporation) — added to debtor's debt. Verify exact amounts at time of filing.

Key deadlines

All deadlines at a glance

Deadlines — Small Claims Court

3 years

Limitation period — generally. Verify for your specific type of claim. A demand letter does NOT stop the clock.

~20 days

Deadline for the defendant to contest your claim. No contest → default judgment.

6 weeks before

Summons notice sent before the hearing date.

~30 days before

Deadline to file your evidence (form SJ-840). Always verify the exact date in your summons notice — that document is authoritative.

30 days

Debtor's deadline to pay after a regular judgment.

10 days

Debtor's deadline to pay after a default judgment.

Always verify exact deadlines with the clerk's office at your courthouse. Find a courthouse in Quebec →

AI prompts to keep handy

Ready-to-use prompts for each stage

ChatGPT

«Write a formal demand letter to claim [$amount] from [name] for [reason]. Give them 10 days to pay. Include a reservation of rights clause.»

Gemini

«I have a claim of [$amount] against [company/person]. Here is my situation: [facts]. How should I organize my arguments clearly and chronologically for the small claims form SJ-870E?»

Claude

«I am going to mediation to recover [$amount] from [person]. Here are the facts: [facts]. Help me prepare a clear opening position and anticipate the other party's arguments.»

Claude

«Act as the opposing party's lawyer. Here is my file: [facts and evidence]. What are the three weakest points? What difficult questions might I be asked at the hearing?»

Claude

«Help me summarize my case in 3 minutes, clear and chronological, to present to a judge.»

Gemini

«The defendant has not paid the small claims judgment. What are my options for enforcing a judgment in Quebec?»

⚠ AI tools can make mistakes

Always review AI-generated documents before submitting them. Never rely on AI for a critical deadline or fact without independent verification. These tools work only with the information you provide them. They do not replace a lawyer.

Common mistakes

Mistakes that cost people their case

✗

Using the wrong name for the defendant. Suing a trade name instead of the legal corporate name can compromise your case. Verify on the Quebec Enterprise Registry.

✗

Missing the limitation period. A demand letter does NOT stop the clock. Only filing in court interrupts the limitation period. If you're approaching 3 years, file immediately.

✗

Filing evidence late. Past the filing deadline, the judge may refuse your documents. Verify the exact date in your summons notice — not just a general "30 days" rule.

✗

Ignoring the claim if you are the defendant. Failure to contest within approximately 20 days results in a default judgment against you.

✗

Being emotional at the hearing. Stay factual, chronological, and calm. "This person is dishonest" does not convince a judge. "On March 15th, I paid $X and received no service" does.

✗

Suing an insolvent defendant. A debtor with no income or seizable assets cannot be forced to pay even with a judgment in hand. Check solvency before paying filing fees.

📞 Direct resources

Small Claims — Quebec.ca (main page) quebec.ca/en/small-claims

Centres de justice de proximité (legal info) justicedeproximite.qc.ca

Legal aid Quebec 1 866 954-8585

Éducaloi — plain-language legal info educaloi.qc.ca/en

Official sources

📌Small Claims Court — Quebec.ca

📌Form SJ-870E — Online application

📌Filing fees — Quebec.ca

📌Mandatory mediation — check your district

📌How to write a formal notice — Éducaloi

📌Small Claims Division — Court of Québec

📌Find a courthouse in Quebec

Related guides — Justice-Quebec.ca

Guide FRPetites créances — version française Guide FRExécution d'un jugement Guide FRDélais de prescription — Guide complet Guide FRMise en demeure — Guide complet Guide FRPoursuivre pour plus de 15 000 $ All ENAll Practical Law Guides in English

In summary

Reclaim your place — without a lawyer

Small claims court has existed for decades so that every citizen — not just those who can afford a lawyer — can assert their rights. With today's AI tools, you can prepare seriously, organize your facts clearly, and appear before the judge with confidence. Check the defendant's legal name, file before the limitation period, submit your evidence on time, and try mediation — it resolves many cases without a hearing.

This guide does not constitute legal advice. The author of this site is not a lawyer. Always verify deadlines and fees with the clerk's office at your courthouse or on Quebec.ca. AI tools can make mistakes — never rely on them for a critical deadline without independent verification.

A correction to suggest or a question about this guide? Write to us at justice-quebec@outlook.com — we read every message.