Since the regulation of paralegals in 2007 by the Law Society of Upper Canada, paralegals are qualified to help you in such areas as Small Claims Court, Landlord and Tenant Board, Provincial Offences and other tribunals. Less than the cost of a lawyer, paralegals make a great cost effective alternative to legal representation to those who would prefer the help of a professional when dealing with these types of legal matters.
The Landlord and Tenant Board is a board which deals with disputes between the landlord and the tenant by enforcing the laws in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). The RTA came into effect on January 31, 2007 and replaced the Tenant protection Act. Through Notices and Applications the Board hears the matters brought before it and tries to aide those parties in dispute.
The RTA will most likely apply to your situation if you are renting an apartment or house, rent the site on which your mobile home or land lease is on, live in a rest or retirement home or are a boarder but DO NOT share a kitchen or bathroom with the owner or close family member of the owner.
If you do share a kitchen or a bathroom with the owner or a close family member of the owner then the RTA does not apply to your situation.
Small claims court allows for one to try recovering lost monies or the value of lost property. The Plaintiff has the right to put forth a claim stating the loss and is to provide proof of same. Defendant’s have the right to defend the action and show cause or proof (if able to do so) to defend that same position.
Should the matter proceed to trial then a judge will make a decision upon the evidence put forth by all parties as to what he/she deems appropriate by law.
The monetary limit of small claims court is currently $25,000.00 in the Province of Ontario.
Depending on what is listed on your criminal record the wait could be three years from the date of completion of your probation for a summary offence. If the charge was an indictable offence then you will have to wait five years from the date of completion of your probation.