You Won in Small Claims Court. Now What?

A Small Claims Court judgment says how much you are owed, plus any interest and costs the court awards. Many people pay once a judgment is made. If they don't, you can use the court's enforcement tools.

First steps

1. Get a copy of the judgment from the court.
2. Write to the debtor asking for payment by a date, and explaining how to pay.
3. Keep track of interest, which continues to run on an unpaid judgment.

Enforcement tools

• Garnishment: of wages or bank accounts.
• Examination hearing: the debtor must answer questions about their income and assets.
• Writ of seizure and sale: against land or personal property.

Appeals

The losing party may appeal some Small Claims Court judgments to the Divisional Court, but there is a short deadline and a minimum amount. If an appeal is started, enforcement may be paused.

Get help

A paralegal can help choose the right enforcement step, prepare the forms and attend the hearings.

Sources

• Rules of the Small Claims Court (O. Reg. 258/98)
• Ontario Courts of Justice Act (interest)

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General Ontario legal information, not legal advice for your matter, and reading it does not create a retainer. Sources checked 15 October 2026: check the current law, forms and dates before you act.

Photos from Pexels: A judge's gavel and sound block · Using a calculator beside an invoice.

This article is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.