{"id":5187,"date":"2026-02-21T21:41:43","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T21:41:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T21:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T21:00:00","slug":"small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/","title":{"rendered":"Small Claims in Montreal: When to Defend Yourself&#8230; and when to consult a lawyer beforehand"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5187\" class=\"elementor elementor-5187 elementor-5173\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-68efa16 elementor-section-stretched banner2-video elementor-section-height-full elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle default\" data-id=\"68efa16\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b9b98a6\" data-id=\"b9b98a6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12e6c98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-hero-banner-two\" data-id=\"12e6c98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"hero-banner-two.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n        <div class=\"banner-text banner-two\">\r\n            <div class=\"banner-two-heading-first\"><h1>Small Claims in Montreal: When to Defend Yourself... and when to consult a lawyer beforehand<\/h1><\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"banner-two-heading-second\">\r\n                <div class=\"banner-two-video\">\r\n                    <video autoplay=\"\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" playsinline=\"\" data-wf-ignore=\"true\" data-object-fit=\"cover\">\r\n\r\n  <source src=\"\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/>\r\n<\/video>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <h1><\/h1>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"banner-two-btm\">\r\n    <div class=\"row\">\r\n    <div class=\"col-lg-6\">\r\n        <h4><\/h4>\r\n                <a href=\"\" class=\"themeht-btn primary-btn\">\r\n              <span class=\"btn-icon1\"><svg width=\"12\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 14\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M0.5 3.48332C1.33992 4.01702 2.77535 4.47497 4.44459 4.21895C5.10724 4.11733 5.79528 3.90507 6.48839 3.55078L0.824819 13.3724L2.01532 14L7.84278 3.89861C7.81701 4.8049 7.97533 5.60791 8.25518 6.30612C8.8561 7.80557 9.99183 8.75595 10.899 9.17916L11.5 8.01969C10.876 7.7286 9.99665 7.01577 9.52822 5.84694C9.06791 4.69843 8.97792 3.04121 10.042 0.804358L9.48803 0.567179L9.1229 0.374676L8.57351 0C7.06359 1.9927 5.50583 2.74733 4.22725 2.94342C2.92606 3.14299 1.83564 2.77691 1.25795 2.4098L0.5 3.48332Z\"\/>\r\n<\/svg><\/span>\r\n<span class=\"btn-text\"><\/span>\r\n          <span class=\"btn-icon2\"><svg width=\"12\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 14\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M0.5 3.48332C1.33992 4.01702 2.77535 4.47497 4.44459 4.21895C5.10724 4.11733 5.79528 3.90507 6.48839 3.55078L0.824819 13.3724L2.01532 14L7.84278 3.89861C7.81701 4.8049 7.97533 5.60791 8.25518 6.30612C8.8561 7.80557 9.99183 8.75595 10.899 9.17916L11.5 8.01969C10.876 7.7286 9.99665 7.01577 9.52822 5.84694C9.06791 4.69843 8.97792 3.04121 10.042 0.804358L9.48803 0.567179L9.1229 0.374676L8.57351 0C7.06359 1.9927 5.50583 2.74733 4.22725 2.94342C2.92606 3.14299 1.83564 2.77691 1.25795 2.4098L0.5 3.48332Z\"\/>\r\n<\/svg><\/span>\r\n<\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"col-lg-6\">\r\n        <div class=\"text-end\">\r\n        <div class=\"round-text\">\r\n          <svg class=\"round-svg\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 180 180\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 180 180\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\r\n            <defs>\r\n              <path id=\"circlePath\" d=\"M 90, 90 m -60, 0 a 60,60 0 0,1 120,0 a 60,60 0 0,1 -120,0 \" \/> <\/defs>\r\n            <circle cx=\"90\" cy=\"90\" r=\"75\" fill=\"none\" \/>\r\n            <g>\r\n              <use xlink:href=\"#circlePath\" fill=\"none\" \/>\r\n              <text>\r\n                <textPath xlink:href=\"#circlePath\"><\/textPath>\r\n              <\/text>\r\n            <\/g>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n          <div class=\"text-btn-icon\"><\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n                                  <\/div>\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ec900a9 elementor-section-stretched white-bg clip-section elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default default\" data-id=\"ec900a9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-45ea868\" data-id=\"45ea868\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-2d0d8f0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default default\" data-id=\"2d0d8f0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8178e9d\" data-id=\"8178e9d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40b98b9 abg-dark-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"40b98b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/service\/civil-and-commercial-litigation\/\">Small Claims<\/a> Court is often presented as a simple, fast and accessible tool that allows citizens to settle their everyday disputes without a lawyer. In theory, it is a local justice system, designed to be effective and inexpensive. In practice, the reality is much more nuanced. Recent data reveal a court that is in high demand, particularly long delays and a procedure which, despite its apparent simplicity, has many pitfalls for unprepared litigants.   <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this context, one question comes up more and more often: <\/span><b>should you really defend yourself in small claims, or is it better to consult a <a href=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/\">civil<\/a><\/b><b><\/b> litigation lawyer<b> before even filing your claim<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-78e7e19 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default default\" data-id=\"78e7e19\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8b1ecf1\" data-id=\"8b1ecf1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4dbba57 elementor-widget elementor-widget-title\" data-id=\"4dbba57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        \r\n                        <div class=\"theme-title style-1  \">\r\n                          <div class=\"ht-subtitle\"><h6>A saturated court, especially in Montreal<\/h6><span class=\"border-effect\"><\/span><span class=\"border-effect2\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t \r\n          <h2 class=\"text-anime-style\"> <\/h2>\r\n           \r\n        <\/div>\r\n                            \r\n                    \r\n\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23874fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-themeht-heading\" data-id=\"23874fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"themeht-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n        <div class=\"\">\r\n\r\n          <p class=\" text-white\">Official statistics show that the judicial district of Montreal is, by far, the busiest in the province when it comes to small claims. Between 2019 and 2024, there were more than 1,700 judgments rendered each year, with a peak of approximately 2,295 judgments in 2024. Across Quebec, the total number of judgments has increased from approximately 2,800 in 2019 to more than 4,200 in 2024, illustrating the massive use of this court to settle low-value civil disputes.\nThis constant increase in the volume of cases has a direct effect on the experience of litigants: the congestion of the system.  <\/p>       \r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ee17d96 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default default\" data-id=\"ee17d96\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6d80acc\" data-id=\"6d80acc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15f1d34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-title\" data-id=\"15f1d34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        \r\n                        <div class=\"theme-title style-1  \">\r\n                          <div class=\"ht-subtitle\"><h6>Delays that turn the dispute into a test of endurance<\/h6><span class=\"border-effect\"><\/span><span class=\"border-effect2\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t \r\n          <h2 class=\"text-anime-style\"> <\/h2>\r\n           \r\n        <\/div>\r\n                            \r\n                    \r\n\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c800ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-themeht-heading\" data-id=\"3c800ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"themeht-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n        <div class=\"\">\r\n\r\n          <p class=\" text-white\">One of the most worrying elements remains the delays. Contrary to the idea of quick justice, small claims are now marked by extremely long waits before being heard by a judge.\nIn 2024, the average time in Quebec to be heard in small claims was about 752 days, or just over two years. In the district of Montreal, the situation is even more pronounced: the median time for a judgment to be rendered is around 29 months. Neighbouring districts also have extreme delays, sometimes exceeding three years before the hearing.   <\/p>       \r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a36287 elementor-widget elementor-widget-themeht-heading\" data-id=\"3a36287\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"themeht-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n        <div class=\"\">\r\n\r\n          <p class=\" text-white\">For a litigant claiming a few thousand dollars, this prolonged wait can turn a mundane dispute into a source of stress, financial uncertainty and discouragement.<\/p>       \r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1721647 elementor-section-stretched white-bg clip-section elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default default\" data-id=\"1721647\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7ad9fac\" data-id=\"7ad9fac\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-98c617e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default default\" data-id=\"98c617e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0c4cb1d\" data-id=\"0c4cb1d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92dbf40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-title\" data-id=\"92dbf40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        \r\n                        <div class=\"theme-title style-1 text-black \">\r\n                          <div class=\"ht-subtitle\"><h6>What types of cases result in small claims?<\/h6><span class=\"border-effect\"><\/span><span class=\"border-effect2\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t \r\n          <h2 class=\"text-anime-style\"> <\/h2>\r\n           \r\n        <\/div>\r\n                            \r\n                    \r\n\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ffb2018 elementor-widget elementor-widget-themeht-heading\" data-id=\"ffb2018\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"themeht-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n        <div class=\"\">\r\n\r\n          <p class=\" text-black\">Small claims don't just deal with anecdotal conflicts. Judicial statistics show a very clear recurrence of certain types of cases, which correspond exactly to situations where poor preparation can lead to the loss of a valid remedy. <\/p>       \r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7c1564 elementor-widget elementor-widget-title\" data-id=\"c7c1564\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        \r\n                        <div class=\"theme-title style-1 text-black \">\r\n                          <div class=\"ht-subtitle\"><h6>Nature of the most frequent small claims cases<\/h6><span class=\"border-effect\"><\/span><span class=\"border-effect2\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t \r\n          <h2 class=\"text-anime-style\"> <\/h2>\r\n           \r\n        <\/div>\r\n                            \r\n                    \r\n\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-978eb1c abg-dark-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"978eb1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<table><tbody><tr><td><p><b>Type of dispute<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><b>Observed frequency<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><b>Amounts at stake<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><b>Real complexity<\/b><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consumer disputes<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Very high<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low to medium<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Average<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Service Contracts<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Average<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sale of property<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weak<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low to medium<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hidden defects<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medium to High<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Housing leases<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Average<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low to medium<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Average<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Debt collection<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weak<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Average<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b06d999 elementor-widget elementor-widget-themeht-heading\" data-id=\"b06d999\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"themeht-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n        <div class=\"\">\r\n\r\n          <p class=\" text-black\">About 50% of the files involve amounts of $5,000 or less, but that doesn't mean the issues are straightforward. The questions of evidence, legal qualification and calculation of the damage remain central. <\/p>       \r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f2a8034 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default default\" data-id=\"f2a8034\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c709613\" data-id=\"c709613\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e260c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6e260c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Mandatory mediation: an opportunity... Or a trap?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fbc4a93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-themeht-heading\" data-id=\"fbc4a93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"themeht-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n        <div class=\"\">\r\n\r\n          <p class=\" text-white\">Since the coming into force of Bill 8, mediation has been mandatory for small claims cases of $5,000 or less, which represents more than half of all cases. This measure is intended to relieve court backlog and promote faster resolutions. <\/p>       \r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec9ed00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ec9ed00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The numbers speak for themselves: the success rate of <a href=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/service\/mediation-arbitration-and-dispute-resolution\/\">mediation<\/a> is around <\/span><b>60% for cases of $5,000 or less<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and about <\/span><b>55% for those over $5,000<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In districts where mediation is well established, the median time to reach an agreement has dropped between  <\/span><b>4 and 6 months<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, compared to several years for a traditional audience.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e52f258 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e52f258\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, poorly prepared mediation can lead to an unfavourable agreement or failure, bringing the case back into the judicial queue. This is why legal support upstream, in particular by a professional   <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/service\/mediation-arbitration-and-dispute-resolution\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mastering mediation<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can be decisive.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf662ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cf662ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1558\" src=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/La-mediation-obligatoire.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-5190\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/La-mediation-obligatoire.jpeg 2560w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/La-mediation-obligatoire-300x183.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/La-mediation-obligatoire-1024x623.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/La-mediation-obligatoire-768x467.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/La-mediation-obligatoire-1536x935.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/La-mediation-obligatoire-2048x1246.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-558ba49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-title\" data-id=\"558ba49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        \r\n                        <div class=\"theme-title style-1  \">\r\n                          <div class=\"ht-subtitle\"><h6>Why consult a lawyer before going to small claims<\/h6><span class=\"border-effect\"><\/span><span class=\"border-effect2\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t \r\n          <h2 class=\"text-anime-style\"> <\/h2>\r\n           \r\n        <\/div>\r\n                            \r\n                    \r\n\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec6c6f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ec6c6f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although representation by a lawyer is prohibited at the hearing, <\/span><b>there is nothing to prevent consultation with a lawyer before the file is filed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This early consultation avoids several common errors: incorrect characterization of the appeal, incomplete evidence, incorrectly calculated amounts, or inappropriate choice of judicial forum.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1be30a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a1be30a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With delays that can exceed two or three years, a case rejected for a formal defect or insufficient evidence represents a considerable waste of time and energy. The lawyer can intervene from the outset to structure the formal notice, select the relevant documents, prepare the mediation strategy and determine whether the case should instead be brought before the Court of Qu\u00e9bec, where representation is permitted, particularly in a   <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/service\/commercial-litigation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">commercial disputes, &#8211; <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when the dispute goes beyond the simple claim of proximity.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-209cda2 elementor-section-stretched white-bg clip-section elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default default\" data-id=\"209cda2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7389cc6\" data-id=\"7389cc6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-de09eb1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default default\" data-id=\"de09eb1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-161aaf7\" data-id=\"161aaf7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa7689f elementor-widget elementor-widget-title\" data-id=\"fa7689f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        \r\n                        <div class=\"theme-title style-1 text-black \">\r\n                          <div class=\"ht-subtitle\"><h6>Frequently Asked Questions  \n<\/h6><span class=\"border-effect\"><\/span><span class=\"border-effect2\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t \r\n          <h2 class=\"text-anime-style\"> <\/h2>\r\n           \r\n        <\/div>\r\n                            \r\n                    \r\n\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d56c09c abg-dark-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d56c09c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>How many small claims cases are processed each year in Montreal?<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Between 2019 and 2024, the district of Montreal recorded more than 1,700 small claims judgments each year, with a peak of approximately 2,295 judgments in 2024, making it the busiest district in Quebec.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn-contenu.quebec.ca\/cdn-contenu\/adm\/min\/justice\/publications-adm\/acces-information\/decisions\/2025\/DAI_no_BSM-2025-004894.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/cdn-contenu.quebec.ca\/cdn-contenu\/adm\/min\/justice\/publications-adm\/acces-information\/decisions\/2025\/DAI_no_BSM-2025-004894.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/p><p><strong>What are the real deadlines for being heard by a judge?<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2024, the average time in Quebec to be heard in small claims cases was approximately 752 days. In Montreal, the median time for a judgment to be rendered was nearly 29 months. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sources<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.protegez-vous.ca\/nouvelles\/argent\/poursuite-aux-petites-creances-la-mediation-vous-fera-gagner-beaucoup-de-temps\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.protegez-vous.ca\/nouvelles\/argent\/poursuite-aux-petites-creances-la-mediation-vous-fera-gagner-beaucoup-de-temps<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acqc.ca\/fr\/actualite\/delais-aux-petites-creances\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.acqc.ca\/fr\/actualite\/delais-aux-petites-creances<\/span><\/a><\/p><p><strong>What types of disputes are the most frequent?<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common categories are consumer disputes, service contracts, sale of goods, latent defects, housing leases and debt collection.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn-contenu.quebec.ca\/cdn-contenu\/adm\/min\/justice\/publications-adm\/acces-information\/decisions\/2024\/DAI_no_BSM-2024-003601.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/cdn-contenu.quebec.ca\/cdn-contenu\/adm\/min\/justice\/publications-adm\/acces-information\/decisions\/2024\/DAI_no_BSM-2024-003601.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/p><p><strong>Is mediation really effective for small claims?<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">yes. The success rate of mediation is approximately 60% for cases of $5,000 or less, and 55% for cases over $5,000. In many districts, it allows a dispute to be settled in a matter of months rather than years. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spring<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.protegez-vous.ca\/nouvelles\/argent\/poursuite-aux-petites-creances-la-mediation-vous-fera-gagner-beaucoup-de-temps\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.protegez-vous.ca\/nouvelles\/argent\/poursuite-aux-petites-creances-la-mediation-vous-fera-gagner-beaucoup-de-temps<\/span><\/a><\/p><p><strong>Can I consult a lawyer even if representation is prohibited at the hearing?<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">yes. Upstream consultation is permitted and strongly recommended to structure the case, prepare the evidence, draft the formal notice and optimize the mediation strategy.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sources<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/performance.gouv.qc.ca\/tableau-de-bord\/resultats-detailles\/justice\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/performance.gouv.qc.ca\/tableau-de-bord\/resultats-detailles\/justice<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.barreaudemontreal.qc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/rapportannuel2024-2025.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.barreaudemontreal.qc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/rapportannuel2024-2025.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/p><p><strong>Why do so many small claims cases fail?<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many cases are rejected or partially upheld due to errors of evidence, mischaracterization or lack of preparation, despite very long waiting times.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sources<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/performance.gouv.qc.ca\/tableau-de-bord\/resultats-detailles\/justice\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/performance.gouv.qc.ca\/tableau-de-bord\/resultats-detailles\/justice<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.protegez-vous.ca\/argent\/guide-complet-pour-les-petites-creances\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.protegez-vous.ca\/argent\/guide-complet-pour-les-petites-creances<\/span><\/a><\/p><p><strong>When is it best to avoid small claims?<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the stakes exceed the $15,000 limit, when the case is legally complex, or when several parties are involved, a recourse to the Court of Qu\u00e9bec with representation may be more appropriate.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.protegez-vous.ca\/argent\/guide-complet-pour-les-petites-creances\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.protegez-vous.ca\/argent\/guide-complet-pour-les-petites-creances<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e8c6130 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched white-bg clip-section elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e8c6130\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4d449ee\" data-id=\"4d449ee\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-6a820f9 elementor-section-content-bottom elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default default\" data-id=\"6a820f9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3206162\" data-id=\"3206162\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a486cdf elementor-widget elementor-widget-title\" data-id=\"a486cdf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        \r\n                        <div class=\"theme-title style-1 text-white \">\r\n              \r\n          <h2 class=\"text-anime-style\"> Contact us  <\/h2>\r\n           \r\n        <\/div>\r\n                            \r\n                    \r\n\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1be68b1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-themeht-heading\" data-id=\"1be68b1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"themeht-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n        <div class=\"\">\r\n\r\n          <p class=\" text-white\">When faced with a small claim in Montreal, acting quickly can make all the difference. Consult a lawyer to defend your rights and maximize your chances of success. Compagnie abg Conseils Juridiques supports you with a strategic approach, effective in negotiations as well as in court.  <\/p>       \r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f2d4fe9\" data-id=\"f2d4fe9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-273c2b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-themeht_button\" data-id=\"273c2b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"themeht_button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n        <div class=\"right\">\r\n          <a href=\"\/contact\" class=\"themeht-btn white-btn\">\r\n              <span class=\"btn-icon1\"><svg width=\"12\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 14\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M0.5 3.48332C1.33992 4.01702 2.77535 4.47497 4.44459 4.21895C5.10724 4.11733 5.79528 3.90507 6.48839 3.55078L0.824819 13.3724L2.01532 14L7.84278 3.89861C7.81701 4.8049 7.97533 5.60791 8.25518 6.30612C8.8561 7.80557 9.99183 8.75595 10.899 9.17916L11.5 8.01969C10.876 7.7286 9.99665 7.01577 9.52822 5.84694C9.06791 4.69843 8.97792 3.04121 10.042 0.804358L9.48803 0.567179L9.1229 0.374676L8.57351 0C7.06359 1.9927 5.50583 2.74733 4.22725 2.94342C2.92606 3.14299 1.83564 2.77691 1.25795 2.4098L0.5 3.48332Z\"\/>\r\n<\/svg><\/span>\r\n<span class=\"btn-text\">Contact us <\/span>\r\n          <span class=\"btn-icon2\"><svg width=\"12\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 14\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M0.5 3.48332C1.33992 4.01702 2.77535 4.47497 4.44459 4.21895C5.10724 4.11733 5.79528 3.90507 6.48839 3.55078L0.824819 13.3724L2.01532 14L7.84278 3.89861C7.81701 4.8049 7.97533 5.60791 8.25518 6.30612C8.8561 7.80557 9.99183 8.75595 10.899 9.17916L11.5 8.01969C10.876 7.7286 9.99665 7.01577 9.52822 5.84694C9.06791 4.69843 8.97792 3.04121 10.042 0.804358L9.48803 0.567179L9.1229 0.374676L8.57351 0C7.06359 1.9927 5.50583 2.74733 4.22725 2.94342C2.92606 3.14299 1.83564 2.77691 1.25795 2.4098L0.5 3.48332Z\"\/>\r\n<\/svg><\/span>\r\n<\/a>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4c75d23 elementor-section-stretched white-bg elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4c75d23\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-67e7ccb\" data-id=\"67e7ccb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-2701341 elementor-section-content-bottom elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default default\" data-id=\"2701341\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ab107dd\" data-id=\"ab107dd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15fda13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-title\" data-id=\"15fda13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        \r\n                        <div class=\"theme-title style-1 text-black \">\r\n                          <div class=\"ht-subtitle\"><h6>Related articles<\/h6><span class=\"border-effect\"><\/span><span class=\"border-effect2\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t \r\n          <h2 class=\"text-anime-style\"> <\/h2>\r\n           \r\n        <\/div>\r\n                            \r\n                    \r\n\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7f10598\" data-id=\"7f10598\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bc0446 elementor-widget elementor-widget-themeht_button\" data-id=\"5bc0446\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"themeht_button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n        <div class=\"right\">\r\n          <a href=\"\/blog-ressources\" class=\"themeht-btn dark-btn\">\r\n              <span class=\"btn-icon1\"><svg width=\"12\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 14\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M0.5 3.48332C1.33992 4.01702 2.77535 4.47497 4.44459 4.21895C5.10724 4.11733 5.79528 3.90507 6.48839 3.55078L0.824819 13.3724L2.01532 14L7.84278 3.89861C7.81701 4.8049 7.97533 5.60791 8.25518 6.30612C8.8561 7.80557 9.99183 8.75595 10.899 9.17916L11.5 8.01969C10.876 7.7286 9.99665 7.01577 9.52822 5.84694C9.06791 4.69843 8.97792 3.04121 10.042 0.804358L9.48803 0.567179L9.1229 0.374676L8.57351 0C7.06359 1.9927 5.50583 2.74733 4.22725 2.94342C2.92606 3.14299 1.83564 2.77691 1.25795 2.4098L0.5 3.48332Z\"\/>\r\n<\/svg><\/span>\r\n<span class=\"btn-text\">Read the blog<\/span>\r\n          <span class=\"btn-icon2\"><svg width=\"12\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 14\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M0.5 3.48332C1.33992 4.01702 2.77535 4.47497 4.44459 4.21895C5.10724 4.11733 5.79528 3.90507 6.48839 3.55078L0.824819 13.3724L2.01532 14L7.84278 3.89861C7.81701 4.8049 7.97533 5.60791 8.25518 6.30612C8.8561 7.80557 9.99183 8.75595 10.899 9.17916L11.5 8.01969C10.876 7.7286 9.99665 7.01577 9.52822 5.84694C9.06791 4.69843 8.97792 3.04121 10.042 0.804358L9.48803 0.567179L9.1229 0.374676L8.57351 0C7.06359 1.9927 5.50583 2.74733 4.22725 2.94342C2.92606 3.14299 1.83564 2.77691 1.25795 2.4098L0.5 3.48332Z\"\/>\r\n<\/svg><\/span>\r\n<\/a>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9024336 elementor-grid-3 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"9024336\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-5841 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-civil-litigation category-the-law-in-our-lives\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/unpaid-money-loan-between-relatives-your-recourse-in-quebec\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1250\" height=\"703\" src=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Petites-creances-a-Montreal.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-5188\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Petites-creances-a-Montreal.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Petites-creances-a-Montreal-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Petites-creances-a-Montreal-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Petites-creances-a-Montreal-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1250px) 100vw, 1250px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/unpaid-money-loan-between-relatives-your-recourse-in-quebec\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tUnpaid money loan between relatives: your recourse in Quebec\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-5839 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-civil-litigation category-the-law-in-our-lives\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/online-defamation-in-quebec-have-a-false-review-or-publication-removed\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/diffamation-et-medias.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3729\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/online-defamation-in-quebec-have-a-false-review-or-publication-removed\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tOnline defamation in Quebec: have a false review or publication removed\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-5818 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-civil-litigation category-the-law-in-our-lives\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/estate-disputes-in-quebec-contesting-a-will-and-regulating-the-liquidator\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Image-de-litige-succession-et-testament.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3887\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Image-de-litige-succession-et-testament.png 1024w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Image-de-litige-succession-et-testament-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Image-de-litige-succession-et-testament-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Image-de-litige-succession-et-testament-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Image-de-litige-succession-et-testament-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Image-de-litige-succession-et-testament-700x700.png 700w, https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Image-de-litige-succession-et-testament-800x800.png 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/estate-disputes-in-quebec-contesting-a-will-and-regulating-the-liquidator\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tEstate Disputes in Quebec: Contesting a Will and Regulating the Liquidator\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Small Claims in Montreal: When to Defend Yourself&#8230; and when to consult a lawyer beforehand The Small Claims Court is often presented as a simple,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5174,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-civil-litigation"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Small Claims in Montreal: When to Defend Yourself... and when to consult a lawyer beforehand - Compagnie abg&amp;cj<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Guide to small claims in Montreal: know when to defend yourself and when to consult a lawyer to protect your rights and maximize your chances of success.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Court delays and civil litigation in Montreal: Why the intervention of a lawyer now makes all the difference\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In Montreal, civil litigation is no longer an exceptional event reserved for a few complex cases. They are now part of the daily legal life of thousands of citizens, owners, entrepreneurs and companies.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Compagnie abg&amp;cj\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-21T21:41:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-18T21:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/vices-caches-immobiliers-1024x683.webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Simo_blackcatseo\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Simo_blackcatseo\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Simo_blackcatseo\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/dfbc5c6b3fba3d78b3e180a3be501686\"},\"headline\":\"Small Claims in Montreal: When to Defend Yourself&#8230; and when to consult a lawyer beforehand\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-21T21:41:43+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-18T21:00:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1171,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Petites-creances-a-Montreal.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Civil Litigation\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\\\/\",\"name\":\"Small Claims in Montreal: When to Defend Yourself... and when to consult a lawyer beforehand - Compagnie abg&amp;cj\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Petites-creances-a-Montreal.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-21T21:41:43+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-18T21:00:00+00:00\",\"description\":\"Guide to small claims in Montreal: know when to defend yourself and when to consult a lawyer to protect your rights and maximize your chances of success.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Petites-creances-a-Montreal.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Petites-creances-a-Montreal.jpg\",\"width\":1250,\"height\":703},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/reception\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Small Claims in Montreal: When to Defend Yourself&#8230; and when to consult a lawyer beforehand\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"Avocats abg & cj - Litiges civils Montr\u00e9al\",\"description\":\"Avocat en Litiges civils Montr\u00e9al abg &amp; cj\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"Avocat en Litiges civils Montr\u00e9al\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Avocats en litiges civils Montr\u00e9al Abg & Cj\",\"alternateName\":\"Avocats en litiges civils Montr\u00e9al Abg & Cj\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/cropped-abgcj_couleur_icone.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/cropped-abgcj_couleur_icone.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Avocats en litiges civils Montr\u00e9al Abg & Cj\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/dfbc5c6b3fba3d78b3e180a3be501686\",\"name\":\"Simo_blackcatseo\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/67e76ecf3cd8804a0b33a4186bef0a7feb38f794cf174bc1f718f7975c2e5385?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/67e76ecf3cd8804a0b33a4186bef0a7feb38f794cf174bc1f718f7975c2e5385?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/67e76ecf3cd8804a0b33a4186bef0a7feb38f794cf174bc1f718f7975c2e5385?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Simo_blackcatseo\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/compagnieabgcj.ca\\\/en\\\/author\\\/simo_blackcatseo\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Small Claims in Montreal: When to Defend Yourself... and when to consult a lawyer beforehand - Compagnie abg&amp;cj","description":"Guide to small claims in Montreal: know when to defend yourself and when to consult a lawyer to protect your rights and maximize your chances of success.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Court delays and civil litigation in Montreal: Why the intervention of a lawyer now makes all the difference","og_description":"In Montreal, civil litigation is no longer an exceptional event reserved for a few complex cases. They are now part of the daily legal life of thousands of citizens, owners, entrepreneurs and companies.","og_url":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/","og_site_name":"Compagnie abg&amp;cj","article_published_time":"2026-02-21T21:41:43+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-03-18T21:00:00+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/vices-caches-immobiliers-1024x683.webp","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Simo_blackcatseo","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Simo_blackcatseo","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/"},"author":{"name":"Simo_blackcatseo","@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/dfbc5c6b3fba3d78b3e180a3be501686"},"headline":"Small Claims in Montreal: When to Defend Yourself&#8230; and when to consult a lawyer beforehand","datePublished":"2026-02-21T21:41:43+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-18T21:00:00+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/"},"wordCount":1171,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Petites-creances-a-Montreal.jpg","articleSection":["Civil Litigation"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/","url":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/","name":"Small Claims in Montreal: When to Defend Yourself... and when to consult a lawyer beforehand - Compagnie abg&amp;cj","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Petites-creances-a-Montreal.jpg","datePublished":"2026-02-21T21:41:43+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-18T21:00:00+00:00","description":"Guide to small claims in Montreal: know when to defend yourself and when to consult a lawyer to protect your rights and maximize your chances of success.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Petites-creances-a-Montreal.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Petites-creances-a-Montreal.jpg","width":1250,"height":703},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/small-claims-in-montreal-when-to-defend-yourself-and-when-to-consult-a-lawyer-beforehand\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/reception\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Small Claims in Montreal: When to Defend Yourself&#8230; and when to consult a lawyer beforehand"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/","name":"Avocats abg & cj - Litiges civils Montr\u00e9al","description":"Avocat en Litiges civils Montr\u00e9al abg &amp; cj","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/#organization"},"alternateName":"Avocat en Litiges civils Montr\u00e9al","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/#organization","name":"Avocats en litiges civils Montr\u00e9al Abg & Cj","alternateName":"Avocats en litiges civils Montr\u00e9al Abg & Cj","url":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/cropped-abgcj_couleur_icone.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/cropped-abgcj_couleur_icone.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Avocats en litiges civils Montr\u00e9al Abg & Cj"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/dfbc5c6b3fba3d78b3e180a3be501686","name":"Simo_blackcatseo","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/67e76ecf3cd8804a0b33a4186bef0a7feb38f794cf174bc1f718f7975c2e5385?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/67e76ecf3cd8804a0b33a4186bef0a7feb38f794cf174bc1f718f7975c2e5385?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/67e76ecf3cd8804a0b33a4186bef0a7feb38f794cf174bc1f718f7975c2e5385?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Simo_blackcatseo"},"url":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/author\/simo_blackcatseo\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5187"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5267,"href":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5187\/revisions\/5267"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compagnieabgcj.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}