Quebec Small Claims: The Petites Créances Division

Quebec runs its own version of small claims court through a dedicated branch of the Court of Québec, known in French as the Division des petites créances. It exists so that an individual or a small business can resolve a debt or damages dispute without needing a lawyer to argue the case in court. The process is simpler than a regular civil lawsuit, but it still comes with a firm dollar ceiling, a strict self-representation rule, and steps that have to happen in a set order.

This guide covers who can use Quebec's Small Claims Division, the current $15,000 limit, why you will usually need to send a formal demand letter first, and what happens between filing and judgment. For how small claims work in the rest of the country, see Canada small claims.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers the Small Claims Division of the Court of Québec (petites créances) under Quebec's Code of Civil Procedure and the Civil Code of Québec. It does not cover Quebec's Superior Court, the Tribunal administratif du logement for residential tenancy disputes, or small claims procedures in any other province. Information last verified July 2026.

What Is the Small Claims Division?

The Small Claims Division, or petites créances, is a branch of the Court of Québec built specifically for disputes over relatively modest sums. Everything about it points toward doing without a lawyer: the application forms use plain language, courthouse staff can explain procedure, and the judge takes a more active role in questioning both sides than in a regular trial.

Common claims include unpaid invoices or personal loans, disputes with a business over a purchase or service, property damage, and the return of a deposit outside a residential lease. Some matters cannot go through this division at all. Residential tenancy disputes go to the Tribunal administratif du logement instead, and defamation claims and class actions are excluded regardless of the amount involved.

The $15,000 Limit

The Small Claims Division can only hear claims of $15,000 or less, and that figure does not include interest or the additional indemnity the law allows you to add on top. The ceiling was raised to $15,000 from $7,000 in 2015, and since 2023 it has been indexed annually, with any increase published by the Minister of Justice and taking effect on September 1. Because the number can move slightly year to year, it is worth confirming the current limit before you file.

If your claim is worth more than $15,000, you can still choose to claim only $15,000 and give up the rest, but you cannot divide one larger debt into several smaller claims just to fit under the ceiling. A claim above the limit has to go to the regular Court of Québec or Superior Court instead, where a lawyer is allowed and the fees and process are more involved.

Who Can Use It: Individuals and Small Businesses

Any individual can file a claim in their own name at the Small Claims Division. A legal person, meaning a corporation, non-profit, syndicate of co-owners, partnership, or other organization, can only file as a claimant if it had no more than 10 people under its direction or control at any point in the 12 months before filing. If it had more than 10 people connected to it by an employment contract even briefly during that period, it is not eligible to use this division, even if its normal staff count is much lower.

This limit applies only to who can bring a claim, not to who can be sued. There is no size restriction on defendants, so an individual can sue a large corporation in the Small Claims Division just as easily as a neighbour, as long as the amount claimed is $15,000 or less.

Lawyers Are Not Allowed at the Hearing

The feature that most distinguishes Quebec's small claims process is that parties must represent themselves at the hearing. A lawyer cannot appear in your place, question witnesses for you, or address the judge on your behalf, even if you hired one. This rule applies equally to both sides, so the person or business you are suing faces the same restriction.

Nothing stops you from getting legal advice before the hearing. A lawyer can help you assess whether your claim is strong, gather the right documents, draft your demand letter, and prepare what you plan to say, all of which happens outside the courtroom rather than during the hearing itself.

Before You File: The Mise en Demeure

Before starting a claim, you will generally need to send the other party a formal demand letter, known as a mise en demeure. The letter should identify itself clearly as a formal notice, summarize the dispute, state exactly what you want, and give a reasonable deadline, commonly around 10 days, to respond or comply. It should be sent in a way you can prove, such as registered mail.

For some categories of claims, sending this letter first is not just good practice but a legal requirement, and skipping it can lead to your application being dismissed or your costs reduced even if your claim is otherwise valid. Because the rule depends on the type of claim, it is worth checking whether your situation is one where a demand letter is mandatory before you assume it is merely optional.

Filing Your Application and Paying Court Fees

Once the demand letter's deadline has passed without a resolution, you file an application with the Small Claims Division, describing the dispute and the amount you are claiming and attaching your supporting documents. Court fees are scaled to the size of the claim and to whether you are an individual or a legal person, and they are indexed on January 1 each year. As of the 2026 tariff, an individual pays roughly $121 for a claim up to $5,000, $223 for a claim up to $10,000, and $241 for a claim up to $15,000, with legal persons paying a higher tier at each level.

For a walkthrough of the practical filing steps that apply across Canadian small claims courts, including Quebec's, see how to file a small claim in Canada.

What Happens After You File

After your application is filed, the other party is served and given a set period to respond in writing. Before the matter goes to a hearing, the Small Claims Division offers a free mediation service, and many disputes settle at this stage without ever reaching a judge. If mediation does not resolve the case, it proceeds to a hearing, where a judge hears both sides, reviews the evidence, and can question the parties directly before deciding.

The Judgment Is Final

A judgment from the Small Claims Division cannot be appealed. This is deliberate: the process trades away the right to appeal in exchange for a faster, cheaper, lawyer-free procedure. The only narrow exception is an application to revoke the judgment, which is generally reserved for situations such as a party missing the hearing because they were never properly notified of it, rather than simple disagreement with the outcome.

The Three-Year Time Limit to Sue

Quebec's Civil Code sets a general prescription period of three years for most personal actions, including unpaid debts, breach of contract, and property damage claims. Once that period passes, you generally lose the right to sue, and only filing your application with the court interrupts it, not merely sending a demand letter. Some situations carry a shorter or longer deadline, so if you are unsure how much time you have left, it is worth confirming the specific rule for your type of claim rather than assuming three years applies.

Collecting on Your Judgment

Winning at the Small Claims Division does not guarantee the other party pays voluntarily. If they do not, you will need to take further steps to collect, such as registering the judgment and pursuing seizure of wages or property. For how that process works, see serving and collecting a judgment. For how Quebec's approach compares with small claims limits and procedures in other provinces, see Canadian law by province.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about the Small Claims Division of the Court of Québec as of July 2026. It is not legal advice and does not replace the current forms, fee tariff, and filing rules published by the Quebec government and the Court of Québec. Limits, fees, and procedures can change, so confirm current details before acting, and consult a lawyer licensed in Quebec if you need advice on your specific situation.