To assume the role of a Small Claims Court Navigator, it is important to become comfortable with the materials that you will be using to help navigate a person through the small claims court process.
Role of the Small Claims Court Navigator
- REMEMBER – the Navigator provides LEGAL INFORMATION ONLY – not Legal Advice.
- pdf Job Description for Small Claims Court Navigator (65 KB)
Goal of a Small Claims Court Navigator is to help a self-represented individual:
- understand their issue(s) and options
- gain confidence with making a decision for conflict resolution
- make less frequent use of formal court processes
- have proper documentation where proceeding with court-based action
Training Tools - The training rools to be reviewed include:
(1) Legal Information versus Legal Advice – What’s the Difference?
(2) pdf Options for resolving a Legal Issue (129 KB)
(3) Small Claims Court App - https://smallclaims.legalinfo.org - This is the main navigation tool that a small claims court navigator will use when meeting with a self-represented individual. The navigator will refer to the small claims court app and review it with a self-represented individual
(4) Understanding Small Claims Court
To help you understand the Small Claims Court process you will find orientation materials that provide an overview of the court system, how to start and defend a claim and how to be a good self-advocate. Case examples are also provided to help you apply your knowledge with case decisions that explain the process. Videos are also available to help the navigator and the person representing themself. A video series is under production to take a person through the entire small claims court process. Currently a sample on “telling your story effectively” is available and longer videos that are being edited are also available for viewing. Finally, a Small Claims Court Quiz with answer key is provided to test your knowledge.
Information about Small Claims Court
The Law that applies to Small Claims Court Issues
- Small Claims Court Act and Small Claims Court Act Regulations
- Residential Tenancies Act and Residential Tenancies Act Regulations
- Regulations for appeals to Small Claims Court from decisions of the Residential Tenancies Board (different from the general small claims court regulations)
- Regulations for matters referred to small claims court dealing with taxation (of lawyers’ bills as small claims court has replaced the taxing master that used to deal with these issues)
Small Claims Court Case Examples with Decisions
- Employment law
- Neighbour dispute
- Private Sale of an Automobile
- Residential Tenancies
Videos and a Guide for Representing Yourself
Videos to help you with Small Claims Court
These short videos help you with starting a claim and preparing a defence, knowing what evidence to gather and present, tips for being as prepared as possible, and what to do after you receive a judgement. Using the Small Claims Court App, and watching these videos, you will be well prepared to navigate the small claims court process.
Self Advocacy 101 - Introduction
Self Advocacy 101 - Top Tips
Self Advocacy 101 - The Claim
Self Advocacy 101 - Evidence
Self Advocacy 101 - Secrets Revealed - Part 1
Self Advocacy 101 - Secrets Revealed - Part 2
Self Advocacy 101 - After Judgment
Go here to watch longer videos that further explain the Self-Advocacy Guide
A litigation lawyer provides helpful hints for people representing themselves at court through his pdf Self Advocacy Guide - Edition 1 (1.07 MB)
Small Claims Court Quiz
Test your knowledge by taking the pdf Small Claims Court Quiz (571 KB) and check your answers using the link provided at the end of the quiz.
