Not legal advice; Ontario information as of October 2, 2026. Source: Ontario's Guide to Procedures in Small Claims Court: Replying to a claim (page last updated July 2, 2026).
Your four options
The Ontario guide lists what you can do once you are served:
- Dispute the claim — file a Defence (Form 9A) explaining what you disagree with.
- Admit the amount and propose a payment date — set out the terms in your defence form.
- Admit only part — propose payment terms for only the part you admit, and dispute the rest.
- Make your own claim — if you believe the plaintiff owes you money, file a Defendant's Claim (Form 10A).
What goes in Form 9A
- Names and contact information for every plaintiff and defendant named on the claim. Write your own name as it appears in the claim. If your address is wrong on the claim, put the correct one on your defence.
- The court details — the court address and file number, copied from the plaintiff's claim.
- Clear, detailed reasons you dispute the claim. The guide says separately numbered paragraphs are often helpful.
- Supporting documents — if your defence relies on a document, attach a copy, or explain why you can't.
- Additional Parties (Form 1A) if the claim has more than one plaintiff or defendant, with the matching box checked on the defence form.
Serve it, then file it
Make one copy for yourself and one for every plaintiff and defendant. Serve a copy of your defence on every other party, then file the defence with an affidavit of service for each party served. You can file online through the Small Claims Court submissions portal, in person at the courthouse, or by mail. A filing fee applies; check the court for the current amount, since this page does not state one.
If you want to claim back
A Defendant's Claim (Form 10A) is for when you think the plaintiff or another party owes you money for the same dispute. The guide says to file it within 20 days after you file your defence, unless you bring a motion and the court allows a later date.
If you ignore it
The guide is blunt: if you ignore the claim it is assumed that you admit the truth of what is claimed against you, and the plaintiff can get a judgment with no further notice. Once you are noted in default you can't file a defence; the only route is a motion to set aside the noting of default (the guide points to Rule 11.06), or a Request for Clerk's Order on Consent (Form 11.2A) if every party agrees. See our full Small Claims Court process guide and the companion walkthrough for the plaintiff's claim (Form 7A). Also check whether the claim was filed inside the limitation period.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a defence? 20 calendar days from the date you were served.
What if I ignore the claim? You can be noted in default and judgment can follow without further notice.
Can I claim against the plaintiff? Yes, with Form 10A, within 20 days after filing your defence unless the court allows later.