Unpaid invoices
You did the work or delivered the goods, and the bill sits unpaid despite reminders.
Often involvesFreelancers, trades, suppliers and small businesses owed money by a client.
Someone broke a deal with you? Find out what you can recover.
We read the contract and the paper trail, tell you plainly whether the claim is worth pursuing, and handle the demand letter and the court claim for you.
Thank you, we have it.
We'll call you during office hours, 9 am to 5 pm, 7 days a week. If your two years are nearly up, call now.
Book a free video meeting now Call (289) 309-3069Contract disputes
When the other side doesn't do what it promised.
A contract doesn't have to be a long signed document. Emails, quotes, invoices and text messages can all show what was agreed. These are the disputes we see most often.
Contractors and renovations
The job was left unfinished, done badly, or went far over the quote, and the contractor won't put it right.
Often involvesDeposits paid for work that never started, defects, and disputes over extras.
Business contracts
A supplier, customer or partner didn't deliver, didn't pay, or walked away from the agreement.
Often involvesService agreements, supply contracts, loans and shareholder or partner arrangements.
Consumer contracts
You paid for a product or service that wasn't delivered, or wasn't what you were sold.
Often involvesRefunds refused, cancelled services, vehicle purchases and home services.
Which court
Small Claims Court or the Superior Court?
The amount you're owed decides where the claim goes. Both are part of the Superior Court of Justice, but they run very differently.
Small Claims Court
For claims of $50,000 or less, not counting interest and costs. The forms are simpler, the process is quicker, and a judge meets both sides at a settlement conference before any trial.
Usually fits whenYou're owed $50,000 or less, or you're willing to give up anything above that to keep the claim simpler.
Superior Court of Justice
For claims over $50,000. The steps are more formal, take longer and cost more, but there's no cap on what you can claim.
Usually fits whenThe amount is well over $50,000, or the dispute is complex enough to need the fuller court process.
How it works
From unpaid bill to court order.
Many disputes end with a letter or at the settlement conference. We prepare each step with a possible trial in mind.
Ask about your dispute- Review the contractWe read what was agreed, what went wrong and what you can prove, and tell you whether a claim makes sense.
- Demand letterA clear letter sets out what's owed and a date to pay. Sometimes that's the end of it.
- Start the claimWe file the claim in the right court and serve it. In Small Claims Court, the other side then has 20 days to file a defence.
- Settlement conferenceIn Small Claims Court, a judge meets both sides to try to settle the dispute before trial.
- Trial and collectionIf it doesn't settle, we argue your case at trial. If you win and they still don't pay, we help you enforce the judgment.
Time limit
Two years, in most cases.
Ontario's Limitations Act, 2002 gives you two years to start a claim. Miss it and the claim is usually lost, however strong it is.
- 2
years to start a claim, in most cases
- 6
months to serve a Small Claims Court claim once it's issued
When the two years start
The clock usually starts on the day you knew, or ought to have known, that you'd lost money because of what the other side did or failed to do. For an unpaid invoice, that's often when payment was due and didn't come.
What doesn't stop the clock
- Sending reminders or a demand letter
- Promises from the other side that payment is coming
- Negotiating a settlement that doesn't close
If you're close to the two years, or not sure when they started, speak to us now. The exact date depends on your facts.
Your first meeting
What to bring to your meeting.
Bring what you have. We can tell you what's missing and how to get it.
- The contract or quoteSigned agreements, quotes, estimates, or terms you accepted online.
- Invoices and receiptsWhat was billed, what was paid and when.
- Emails and messagesAnything showing what was agreed, changed or promised.
- Proof of the problemPhotos of unfinished or faulty work, delivery records, inspection reports.
- Key datesWhen payment was due, when the work stopped, when you first raised the issue.
- The other side's detailsTheir full legal name and address. For a business, its registered name if you know it.
★★★★★
“His guidance was clear, honest, and very reassuring during a stressful time.”
Sana ChaudharyGoogle review
Videos
Watch it explained.
What's the most I can claim in Small Claims Court?
$50,000, not counting interest and costs. The limit rose from $35,000 on October 1, 2025. If you're owed more, you can sue in the Superior Court of Justice, or give up the amount over $50,000 to stay in Small Claims Court. Giving it up is permanent, so talk it through with us first.
How long do I have to sue for breach of contract?
In most cases, two years from the day you knew, or ought to have known, that you'd lost money because of what the other side did or didn't do. Sending demand letters or negotiating doesn't stop the clock by itself.
Do I have to send a demand letter before I sue?
It isn't usually a required step, but it's often worth doing. A clear letter from a lawyer sometimes gets the bill paid, and it shows the court you gave the other side a fair chance to fix things.
What happens if I win and they still don't pay?
A judgment doesn't collect itself. You may need to take enforcement steps, such as garnishing wages or a bank account, and these have their own court fees. We look at whether the other side can pay before you decide to sue.
How do fees work for a contract dispute?
On a contingency fee: either a small amount upfront and the rest only if you're compensated, or no legal fees at all unless you're compensated. The fee is a percentage set out in a written contingency fee agreement, plus HST, and we explain it at the free first video meeting, before you commit to anything.
Is the first meeting free?
Video meetings are free. In-person meetings at First Canadian Place are $100.
Related
Other claims we handle.
Free video meeting
Owed money? Talk to a lawyer before the two years run out.
By video (free) or in person at First Canadian Place ($100), 7 days a week.
Cohen Murison Law
100 King Street West, Suite 5700
First Canadian Place, Toronto, ON M5X 1C7
Open 7 days, 9 am to 5 pm. Closed on public holidays.
100 King Street West, Suite 5700
First Canadian Place, Toronto, ON M5X 1C7
Open 7 days, 9 am to 5 pm. Closed on public holidays.