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Ontario Small Claims Court form

Form 9A: Defence

Responding to a claim against you

Being checked

The official form

Version: August 1, 2022

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Used at these steps

What it is for

Your written answer to a Plaintiff's Claim. You can dispute the whole claim, admit part of it, or admit it and propose payment terms.

Who uses it

The defendant: the person or business being sued.

When to use it

It must be served and filed, with proof of service, within 20 days of being served with the claim (Rule 9.01).

What you need

Tick each one off as you gather it. Nothing here is saved.

Tips

  • Count your 20 days from the day you were served. Mail and holidays can change it.
  • Answer every paragraph of the claim, in the same order.
  • Serve the plaintiff and file with proof of service. Doing only one is not enough.
  • If the plaintiff owes you money, look at Form 10A, due within 20 days after your Defence is filed (Rule 10.01).

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