Changes coming to Sask. small claims court
The Saskatchewan Government announced upcoming changes to the province’s small claims legislation, which are meant to make the process faster and easier for everyone involved.
Small claims court is meant to offer a relatively quick and simple way for parties to settle disputes of less than $30,000, according to Neil Karkut, Crown counsel for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice. More than 2,000 small claims are heard in provincial court every year, he said, and parties often represent themselves. Karkut said the updated Small Claims Act gives increased power to judges as well as requiring defendants to file a response before they have their day in court. The new act will come into force Jan. 1, 2018, he said.
“The updates were part of the ministry’s innovation agenda, and the whole goal of that agenda is to enhance access to justice,” Karkut said. “The act is really looking at encouraging parties to try to resolve matters at an earlier stage.”
Defendants currently do not have to provide a reply when a small claims complaint is brought against them, Karkut said, but filing a reply will be required under the new act. This means all parties will go into court with a good sense of what arguments will be presented, he said, which can lead to much earlier resolutions.