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Small Claims, Civil Litigation, Human Rights, Indigenous Law, Labour and Employment. Practice Areas include: Human Rights Civil Litigation Litigation Small Claims Indigenous and Aboriginal Tribunals Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Regulatory Tribunals Ontario Superior Court of Justice Ontario Divisional Court Practice Areas: Practice Areas SERVICES Sage Legal Solutions handles cases including Civil Litigation, Small Claims, Human Rights. Your case may pertain to multiple areas of the law - just ask us if we can help. Small Claims? Click here for more. We can assist with commissioning documents and notarizing by appointment only. HUMAN RIGHTS We are passionate about protecting your human rights. We have experience in: Human Rights Tribunals; harassment cases; discrimination cases; civil litigation; police misfeasance cases; wrongful arrest; and, police brutality and misconduct. CIVIL LITIGATION, SMALL CLAIMS You may need assistance in gaining compensation for the harm you have suffered. We have experience in: contracts; landlord and tenant disputes; residential and commercial tenancies; small claims court; civil matters; and, civil disputes. We can help with animal legal matters, animal rights, and breeding contracts. TRIBUNALS, REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS, AND MORE... We can assist with Tribunals, Regulatory proceedings, and more: Landlord and Tenant Board ("LTB") Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ("HRTO") Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ("CHRT") Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the “OCSWSSW”) Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario ("IPC") LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT Labour and employment can range from workplace grievances, to collective bargaining agreement negotiations, to mediation. We have advocated for the employee, and employer, in various cases. We have experience with: labour law; employment advice; advice for employees and employers; grievance, arbitration, mediation assistance; advice on employment matters relating to COVID-19 (including return-to-work issues); and, employment contracts. FIRST NATIONS AND INDIGENOUS LAW Indigenous Law is complex, nuanced, and encompasses centuries of traditional knowledge. We have the creativity to craft solutions for individuals and communities while navigating the Canadian legal system. We provide assistance to First Nations communities, Chief and Council, Indigenous Police Services, and individuals. You may need an affidavit drafted or commissioned, or documents notarized. Our St. Catharines office can provide Commissioning and Notary services by appointment. Contact us for pricing via email to: contact@sagelegalsolutions.ca COMMISSIONING AND NOTARIZING

Have a Small Claims matter in St. Catharines, Welland, or Hamilton? Our Lawyers can assist on Small Claims matters in the area. St. Catharines Small Claims Lawyers St. Catharines and Niagara Area Small Claims Court Litigation Have a Small Claims matter in St. Catharines, Welland, or Hamilton? Not sure what to do and need help? Our firm has lawyers who can assist on Small Claims matters in the area. Our fee for Small Claims matters is $250+HST/hr (for work completed by our Lawyers). Lawyers vs. Paralegal? Lawyers in Ontario have 7 years' education prior to licensing, while Paralegals typically have about 2 years' education.* Why hire a Paralegal when you can hire a Lawyer with many years' more education? Small Claims Scope In Ontario, you can sue or be sued in Small Claims for $35,000 or less. For anything over $35,000, you need to go to the Superior Court of Justice . If what you are owed is more than $35,000, you can still use Small Claims Court if you are willing to waive anything over $35,000. What You Can Sue For You can sue for money owed under an agreement: goods or services sold and delivered where they failed to pay unpaid loans unpaid rent You can sue for claims for damages, such as: property damage (ex. house damaged by contractors) clothes damaged by a dry cleaner personal injuries breach of contract Where Do I Begin? Some of the most important things to remember are: usually, you have to commence a claim within 2 years of the incident as the responding party, you have 20 days to file a Defence, otherwise you may be deemed to accept the Claim as true there are various Rules regarding timelines that all parties must adhere to, otherwise you risk the court making orders against you, including orders to pay the other side costs you may wish to consult a lawyer to decide whether you can represent yourself or prefer to hire a representative. Call us for a free 15- minute consultation. Ontario-Wide Assistance Small Claims matters often proceed virtually (via Zoom or videoconferencing). We can work on your matter in Ontario, wherever you are. If travel is required for the trial, we charge reasonable travel fees, however we can ask the court for permission to do a virtual trial. *Education and licensing varies. Lawyer licensing information is current as of 2025. COURT LOCATIONS NEAR US: Welland Courthouse 102 East Main Street Welland, Ontario L3B 3W6 St. Catharines Courthouse 59 Church Street St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7N8 Hamilton Courthouse 55 Main St. W. Hamilton, Ontario L8P 1H4 Hamilton (John Sopinka) Courthouse 45 Main St. E. Hamilton, Ontario L8N 2B7 Let’s Work Together Get in touch so we can start working together. Leave your email or phone number and we will get back to you. First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

Sage Legal Solutions: Trusted legal partner in St. Catharines for Human Rights, Litigation, Small Claims, Employment matters. Sound advice, and timely resolutions. Schedule a consultation today. Home: Welcome HUMAN RIGHTS AND LITIGATION LAWYERS Serving St. Catharines and Ontario Sage Legal Solutions was founded to serve clients in a timely, service-oriented, and cost-effective manner. To give sage advice means to give sound, sensible, and intelligent advice. Protecting your human rights, simplified. What Clients Say "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help in recovering our money. There are no words to describe our gratitude for everything that you’ve done for us."

This is a no-cost, 15 minute consultation with a Lawyer to see if we are a good fit for you. Please request either a telephone or a video call (Zoom).

Opposing party not willing to settle? Offer not good enough? If your matter is proceeding to trial, adequate preparation is essential. Follow these steps to ensure you are ready: Gather Evidence : Collate all relevant documents, emails, and communication records that could support your case. For example, if you are disputing a contract, gather copies of the original agreement. There are specific requirements for how your evidence is provided to other parties and to the court - including what colour paper to use, document format, deadlines of when to provide documents to the other party versus to the court... Understand Court Etiquette : Acquaint yourself with the court's rules and procedures. Understanding what to expect can ease your anxiety. For example, knowing how to formally introduce yourself and your case can help you present more effectively. Dress appropriately - business attire is best. Practice Your Presentation : If you represent yourself, rehearse your key points. Practicing can boost your confidence and clarity while presenting before a judge. You can prepare your entire case yourself and then hire someone to represent you only at the hearing. This is called "unbundled representation" or "limited assistance". You can inquire with us via email at: contact@sagelegalsolutions.ca or phone: 289-270-7243

Before your case reaches its conclusion, consider alternative settlement options. These can save you from lengthy, costly court proceedings. Common methods include: Mediation : A neutral mediator facilitates a discussion between both parties to find a mutually acceptable solution. Arbitration : An arbitrator hears both sides and makes a binding decision, which can be faster than traditional trials. Direct Negotiation : Engaging the opposing party in straightforward conversations might lead to an agreement without involving mediators. Usually, lawyers will start with Direct Negotiation first. This can happen at any stage - on first contact to the opposing party, throughout the court process, or right before trial. Lawyers will make recommendations but it is ultimately up to you, the client, to decide what you'd like to offer. Each of these options can offer a path that avoids the complexities and expenses of a trial.

Receiving court papers can feel overwhelming and frightening. Whether it’s a Statement of Claim , a Notice of Motion , or another legal document, it’s easy to feel lost in the legal labyrinth. Statement of Claim in Ontario - instructions to defendant Understanding the Court Papers When served with court papers, it's important to comprehend what these documents mean. Here are common types of court papers you might encounter: Statement of Claim : This outlines the plaintiff's case and the specific reasons for the lawsuit. For example, if someone is suing you for $30,000 in damages related to an unpaid loan, or faulty construction work, the Statement of Claim would explain the incident, the claim amount, and the basis for their complaint. In Small Claims, this is called a Plaintiff's Claim. Notice of Motion : This indicates that a party plans to ask the court for a specific order, such as an i nterim order for return of your personal property . It’s essential to understand what they are asking for and how it might affect you. Defence : If you are the plaintiff, and you receive a defence document, it is crucial to determine whether you are permitted to "Reply" to maintain your legal position. Responding to the Court Papers After receiving court papers, crafting an appropriate response is usually your next step. In Ontario, you typically have 20 days to file a response to a Statement of Claim. Here's how to proceed: Consult with a Lawyer : Engaging a qualified lawyer can significantly enhance your understanding of the situation. For instance, a lawyer can provide targeted advice and help you frame a strong defense tailored to your unique situation. Prepare a Defence : If you choose to represent yourself, draft a Statement of Defence that clearly responds to each allegation made in the claim. Use clear, concise language to explain your side of the story. Consider hiring a lawyer to draft the document for you as part of "unbundled" services. An incorrect defence statement can negatively affect the entire case. File Your Documents : Make sure to file your response with the court and serve a copy to the other party. Following court rules is essential to ensure your documents are accepted. Possible Outcomes Understanding the possible outcomes of your case can help you manage your expectations: Settlement : Many disputes are settled before reaching court through negotiation, often resulting in compromise. In our experience, settlement doesn't usually happen at the initial stages, but towards the end of a matter, prior to trial. Court Hearing : If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may go to trial. Both parties will present their evidence, and a judge will make a ruling based on the facts presented. Default Judgment : If you don’t respond to the court papers, the plaintiff may seek a default judgment against you, leading to significant financial or legal repercussions. Know When to Seek Professional Legal Assistance Consider hiring an experienced lawyer to draft your response or to handle the case entirely. The right legal counsel can change the trajectory of your case. A lawyer can: Translate complex legal language into understandable terms, ensuring you grasp the implications of the documents you receive. Aid in compiling evidence and presenting a compelling case. Handle negotiations on your behalf, increasing the likelihood of securing a favorable settlement. Investing in legal support can save you considerable stress and lead to better outcomes in challenging situations. Please note that this post is not legal advice, as every situation differs. Some information here may not apply to your specific case. A close-up view of a stack of court papers.