Manitoba Small Claims
Big systems count on silence — but Small Claims Court is proof that people can fight back.
In Manitoba, you have the legal right to take action, recover losses, and hold others accountable, even without a lawyer.
This guide breaks down the entire process, simply and transparently, so you can move forward with confidence.
Quick Links
Below are official and trusted sources for Small Claims, filing, and legal help in Manitoba.
⚖️ Courts & Claims
Manitoba Courts – Small Claims Information →
Form 76A – Small Claim (PDF) →
Court of King’s Bench Rules (Part 10 – Small Claims) →
📍 Court Locations
🧾 Costs & Fees
Court Fees – Manitoba Justice →
📚 Legal Help & Education
Community Legal Education Association (CLEA) →
Law Society of Manitoba – Lawyer Referral →
✅ Tip:
Bookmark this page — these are official government and nonprofit links that can guide you through the entire Manitoba Small Claims process.
Check if your small claim qualifies
In Manitoba, Small Claims are handled through the Court of King’s Bench (Small Claims Division). You can use this process to take action against a company, platform, or individual that caused a measurable loss or breach of service.
💰 You can claim up to $20,000, not including interest or costs.
If your loss is higher, you can still file by abandoning the excess above $20,000.
⚖️ Small Claims Court is built for self-represented individuals — no lawyer required.
It’s ideal for clear, straightforward disputes involving money, digital services, or accountability.
For more details, visit the Manitoba Courts – Small Claims Information →
Prepare your claim
Before filing, take a little time to get your case ready. It saves time later and helps you stay organized.
📨 Send a Demand Letter
Try to resolve the issue before going to court.
Include:
What happened and what you want.
A deadline (usually 14–30 days).
A note saying you’ll file a claim if there’s no response.
Tip: Send it by registered mail or another trackable method and keep proof of delivery.
📁 Gather Your Evidence
Collect everything that supports your story:
Screenshots, receipts, payment records, or communication logs.
Emails or messages from the company or platform.
A short timeline of key events in order.
🧾 Complete the Right Form
Use Form 76A – Small Claim from the Court of King’s Bench (Small Claims Division).
Include the correct legal name of the business or platform, a short description of what happened, and the total amount you’re claiming (up to $20,000).
Costs & Fee Waivers
Filing a small claim in Manitoba comes with a small court fee, but you may not have to pay it if money is tight.
💰 Filing Fees
Your fee depends on the amount you’re claiming:
Up to $5,000 → $75 filing fee
$5,001–$15,000 → $100 filing fee
$15,001–$20,000 → $150 filing fee
This fee is paid when you file Form 76A at the Court of King’s Bench registry.
🧾 Request a Fee Waiver
If you can’t afford to pay, ask for an Application for Fee Waiver at the registry counter.
You’ll need to show basic proof of your income or financial hardship.
If approved, the court will exempt you from paying the filing fee.
Tip: Bring ID and any documents showing your income or assistance.
💸 Recovering Costs
If you win your case, the judge can order the other party to reimburse your filing fee and certain expenses like service or enforcement costs.
Keep your receipts so you can show what you spent.
✅ Once you’ve sorted the costs or received a waiver, you’re ready to move on to filing your claim.
File your claim
Once your forms and evidence are ready, you’ll need to officially file your case with the court. This is what officially starts your claim.
📄 Where to File
Small Claims in Manitoba are filed at the Court of King’s Bench (Small Claims Division).
You must file at the registry nearest to where the defendant lives or where the issue occurred.
There’s currently no online filing option, so you’ll need to submit your documents in person or by mail.
🧾 What to Bring
When you file, you’ll need:
Your completed Form 76A – Small Claim
Any supporting documents you want included
The filing fee (or your approved fee waiver)
The clerk will review your claim, stamp it, assign a hearing date, and return stamped copies to you for serving the defendant.
💡 Tip:
Double-check that all names, addresses, and amounts are correct before filing. Once submitted, it can be harder to make changes.
✅ After filing, you’ll receive your court-stamped copies and hearing date — the next step is to serve the defendant.
Serve the defendant
After filing your claim, you must officially deliver a copy to the person or business you’re suing. This is called serving the defendant, and it’s required before your hearing can move forward.
📬 When to Serve
You must serve the defendant within 30 days of filing your claim.
If you don’t do it within that time, you’ll need permission from the court to extend the deadline.
📨 How to Serve
You can serve the claim in one of three ways:
In person – hand the documents directly to the defendant.
By registered mail – mail it to their last known address and keep proof of delivery.
By process server – hire someone authorized to deliver legal documents for you.
🧾 Proof of Service
Once the defendant has been served, you must complete an Affidavit or Certificate of Service and file it with the court.
This confirms the court that the documents were delivered properly and on time.
💡 Tip:
If you’re serving a business or platform, use their registered business address — not just their website or email.
You can usually find this on their “Terms of Service” page or through Corporations Canada or the Companies Office Manitoba.
✅ Once you’ve served the defendant and filed your proof, you’ll be ready for the next step: Mediation or Settlement.
Mediation / Settlement
Before your hearing date, you’ll have a chance to resolve your case without going to court.
This step can save you time, stress, and costs — and still get you the outcome you want.
🤝 Try to Settle Early
You can contact the other party directly to negotiate a fair resolution.
If you reach an agreement, you can put it in writing and both sign it.
Once it’s signed, either side can ask the court to make it an official order and close the case.
🗣️ Mediation Services
If you can’t settle on your own, you can ask for help through Mediation Services Manitoba or another neutral mediator.
They’ll guide both sides through a calm discussion to see if an agreement can be reached.
The goal is to find a solution before the court date.
📄 If You Do Reach a Settlement
You can file a Settlement Agreement or Notice of Withdrawal with the court so your case doesn’t go to hearing.
If no agreement is reached, your claim will simply continue to the next step.
✅ If mediation or negotiation doesn’t resolve things, your case will move on to a court hearing.
Court Hearing
If your case doesn’t settle, it will move forward to a court hearing.
This is where both sides explain their story and present their evidence to a judge.
⚖️ What to Expect
Hearings in Manitoba Small Claims Court are meant to be simple and informal.
You don’t need a lawyer — just stay organized, calm, and clear about what happened.
The judge may ask questions to better understand your claim and any evidence you’ve provided.
Bring everything you’ll rely on, including your evidence, documents, and witnesses if you have any.
Show your proof in the order that things happened, so the judge can easily follow the timeline.
🧾 During the Hearing
Be respectful and wait your turn to speak.
Address the judge as “Your Honour.”
Answer questions directly and truthfully.
Keep your explanations short and focused on facts.
🗓️ After the Hearing
The judge may give a decision right away or mail it to you later in writing.
If you win, the written decision will include how much you’re owed and any extra costs the other party must pay.
✅ Once judgment is issued, the next step is Judgment and Enforcement — how to collect what you’re owed.
Judgement & Enforcement
After the hearing, the judge will make a decision called a judgment.
This explains who won, how much must be paid, and any costs or conditions.
📄 If You Win
You’ll receive a Certificate of Decision from the court.
This is your official proof that the other party owes you money.
If they don’t pay voluntarily, you can take steps to collect it through the court.
💰 Enforcing the Judgment
If payment isn’t made, you can ask the court for an enforcement order.
Common options include:
Garnishment – taking money directly from the defendant’s wages or bank account.
Seizure and Sale – asking the sheriff to seize and sell property to satisfy the debt.
You’ll need to file the proper enforcement forms and may need to pay a small fee.
These costs can usually be added to what the other party owes you.
🕒 If You Lose
If the decision doesn’t go your way, you may have to pay the other party’s awarded amount or small costs.
You can also explore an appeal, but appeals in Small Claims are limited and must be filed quickly.
✅ Once payment or enforcement is complete, your case will be officially closed.
If you need help with collection, contact the court registry for enforcement forms or assistance.
Court Locations
You’ll file and attend your Small Claims case at the Court of King’s Bench (Small Claims Division).
Choose the courthouse closest to where the defendant lives or where the issue occurred.
📍 Find a Courthouse
You can search all Manitoba court addresses, contact numbers, and office hours online.
This directory includes Winnipeg, Brandon, Dauphin, The Pas, Thompson, and other regional locations.
💡 Tip:
Call ahead to confirm hours or check if your local registry requires an appointment for filing.
✅ Once you’ve found your nearest courthouse, you’ll know exactly where to file and attend your hearing.
The next step is exploring Legal Aid and Options.
Legal Aid / Options
If you need help with your small claim or can’t afford a lawyer, these services offer free or low-cost legal assistance.
⚖️ Legal Aid Manitoba (LAM)
Provides free or low-cost legal services based on income.
They may offer advice, referrals, or representation for qualifying cases.
🌐 legalaid.mb.ca
📞 Call: 1-204-985-8500 or 1-800-261-2960
📚 Community Legal Education Association (CLEA)
Offers free guides, workshops, and legal information to help Manitobans represent themselves.
You can also call their Legal Info Line for general questions.
🌐 communitylegal.mb.ca
📞 Legal Info Line:1-204-943-2305
👩⚖️ Law Society of Manitoba – Lawyer Referral
Connects you with a lawyer for a 30-minute consultation at a reduced rate.
A good option if you need quick, specific legal advice.
🤝 Pro Bono Canada Directory
National directory listing free and low-cost legal clinics across Canada.
You can search for Manitoba-based pro bono options.
✅ Tip:
These services can explain the process, review your documents, and help you prepare for court if you qualify for support.
Response Times
Each step in Manitoba’s Small Claims process has a time limit. Missing one can delay your case or lead to a default judgment.
⏱️ Serve the Claim
You must serve the defendant within 30 days of filing your claim.
If you don’t, you’ll need permission from the court to extend the deadline.
📬 Defendant’s Reply
Once served, the defendant has 20 days to file a defence or response.
If no response is filed, you can apply for a default judgment.
⚖️ Hearing and Judgment
If a response is filed, the court will schedule your hearing date (usually within a few months).
After the hearing, the judge may give a decision immediately or send it in writing later.
💰 Payment or Enforcement
If you win, payment is usually due within 30 days, unless the court sets another timeline.
If not paid, you can begin enforcement through garnishment or seizure.
✅ Summary:
Serve → 30 days
Reply → 20 days
Hearing → within a few months
Payment → 30 days after judgment