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Judicial Decision Reasons
The Requirement of an Explanation of the What and Why
Last Updated: June 12 2026
Question: Are Small Claims Court decisions in Ontario explained by the judge with reasons for the decision?
Answer: Yes, Ontario Small Claims Court judges must give reasons that explain what was decided and why, even if they’re brief and delivered orally, and those reasons should be clear enough for an appeal court to review if needed. For help understanding a decision, assessing whether the reasons are adequate, or planning next steps in a Small Claims Court matter, contact DK Legal Practice, a Paralegal serving clients across Ontario, at (416) 906-6663 for practical, cost-effective support.
Is a Small Claims Court Judge Required to Provide An Explanation For a Decision?
Small Claims Court Decisions, Like Decisions In Other Courts, Must Be Explained By the Judge Providing the Reasoning For the Decision.
Understanding the Requirement of Reasons Within Judicial Decisions Including Small Claims Court Cases
The decisions that are made by a judge, including the decisions made in a Small Claims Court case, are required to include explanations of the reasoning for the decision. The requirement to provide reasons is necessary to the judicial process whereas, if necessary, the reasons may be reviewed for errors, among other concerns, at a subsequent Appeal.
The Law
The duty of a judge, including a Small Claims Court judge, to provide quality reasons for a judicial decision was well stated in Elnasr v. Mostafa, 2022 ONSC 1735, wherein it was specifically said:
[28] In assessing the sufficiency of the Deputy Judge’s Reasons, I acknowledge the tremendous volume of matters in the Small Claims Court as well as the informal nature of the Small Claims Court. As stated in Maple Ridge Community Management Ltd. v. Peel Condominium Corp. No. 231, 2015 ONCA 520, 389 DLR (4th) 711, at paras. 34 and 35:
[34] The Small Claims Court is mandated under s. 25 of the Courts of Justice Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.43, to “hear and determine in a summary way all questions of law and fact and may make such order as is considered just and agreeable to good conscience.” The Small Claims Court plays a vital role in the administration of justice in the province by ensuring meaningful and cost effective access to justice for cases involving relatively modest claims for damages. In order to meet its mandate, the Small Claims Court’s process and procedures are designed to ensure that it can handle a large volume of cases in an efficient and economical manner.
[35] Reasons from the Small Claims Court must be sufficiently clear to permit judicial review on appeal. They must explain to the litigants what has been decided and why: Doerr v. Sterling Paralegal, 2014 ONSC 2335, at paras. 17-19. However, appellate consideration of Small Claims Court reasons must recognize the informal nature of that court, as well as the volume of cases it handles and its statutory mandate to deal with these cases efficiently. In short, in assessing the adequacy of the reasons, context matters: Massoudinia v. Volfson, 2013 ONCA 29, at para. 9. Just as oral reasons will not necessarily be as detailed as written reasons, reasons from the Small Claims Court will not always be as thorough as those in Superior Court decisions. Failing to take the Small Claims Court context into account only serves to restrict access to justice by unnecessarily imparting formality and delay into a legal process that is designed to be informal and efficient.
[29] Or, in other words, to permit meaningful appellate review, the reasons must adequately express “what” was decided and “why” it was decided, see: Maple Ridge, at para. 24; Law Society of Upper Canada v. Neinstein, 2010 ONCA 193, at para. 61.
[30] If the reasons are not sufficiently detailed to understand “the what” and “the why” for the decision under review, then this is an error in law and the standard of review is correctness, see Maple Ridge, at para 22; Barbieri v. Mastronardi, 2014 ONCA 416, at para. 22.
Conclusion
Judges, including Small Claims Court judge, must explain the basis for a decision. While the explanation of reasons in a Small Claims Court case may be brief compared to explanations expected from higher courts, the explanation must be sufficient to enable review by an Appeal court.
NOTE: A considerable amount of inquiries featuring “lawyers near me” or “best lawyer in” frequently indicate a requirement for prompt and competent legal assistance instead of a particular job title. In Ontario, the same Law Society that governs lawyers also regulates licensed paralegals, who are permitted to represent clients in specific litigation cases. Key elements of this position include advocacy, legal analysis, and procedural expertise. DK Legal Practice provides legal representation within its licensed framework, focusing on strategic positioning, evidentiary preparation, and compelling advocacy designed to secure efficient and advantageous resolutions for clients.