Ontario Small Claims Court Cost Award Calculator

Step One of Four

Who won — or expects to win?

Costs go to the successful party, whichever side of the courtroom they sat on.

The plaintiff suing You brought the claim and won — or you're pricing what a win would pay before you file. The defendant being sued The claim against you was dismissed — or you're pricing what beating it would recover.

Losing parties don't get costs — but if you're the one suing, the defendant card shows the exposure you take on by filing.

Step Two of Four

What amount was claimed?

The 15% cap runs off the amount claimed (or the value of the property sought) — not the amount the judge awarded.

Amount Claimed ($) * Maximum $50,000 in Small Claims Court. Defendants: enter the amount the plaintiff claimed against you.

Step Three of Four

Who represented the winner at trial?

Representation decides which rule applies — the 15% representation fee (Rule 19.04) or the $500 self-represented allowance (Rule 19.05).

Lawyer or paralegal ? Represented at trial by a lawyer, student-at-law, or licensed paralegal — eligible for a representation fee up to the 15% cap.

Self-represented no licensee Ran the trial yourself — eligible for up to $500 for inconvenience and expense, plus up to $1,500 more if you beat your own offer to settle.

Step Four of Four

Disbursements and circumstances

Out-of-pocket case expenses ride on top of the 15% cap. Leave blank anything you didn't spend.

Court Filing Fees ($) Every fee you paid the court — price them with the Filing Fee Calculator.

Service Costs ($) Process server, registered mail — assessed at up to $60 per person served (Rule 19.01(3)).

People Served (#) How many people you paid to serve — the $60 cap is per person.

Claim/Defence Preparation ($) Amounts paid to have the pleading prepared — assessed at up to $200 (Rule 19.01(4)).

Other Disbursements ($) Expert reports, witness attendance money, travel, photocopying — receipts required.

Circumstances:

The winner served a written offer to settle at least 7 days before trial, never withdrew it, and did as well or better at trial — show me the double-costs rule The losing side unduly complicated or prolonged the case, or otherwise behaved unreasonably — show me the penalty rules

Cost Award Calculator