Yes, blank forms are available from court and tribunal offices and from their websites. Small Claims Court forms are available on the Ontario Court of Justice website, while Landlord and Tenant Board forms are available on the Tribunals Ontario website. However, these blank forms come with minimal instructions that do not explain the details of how to complete each field, what supporting documents you need, or what the common mistakes are that cause problems.

Court and tribunal staff cannot give legal advice about how to complete forms or what information to include in specific situations. They can tell you which form to use for a particular purpose and provide information about filing fees and procedures, but they cannot help you determine what to write in the form fields or advise you on strategy.

Minor errors like small spelling mistakes may be overlooked or can be corrected by filing an amended form, but significant errors typically result in the form being rejected by the court or tribunal. When a form is rejected, you must correct the problems and refile it, which creates delays and may affect your position in the proceeding.

The specific consequences of form errors depend on what type of mistake was made and when it is discovered. Mathematical errors in calculating claim amounts, incorrect dates that affect limitation periods, or missing required information are common problems that lead to rejection. This is why taking the time to complete forms carefully using detailed instructions is so important for protecting your legal rights.

Many people successfully complete legal forms themselves using comprehensive instructions like these, particularly for straightforward matters with clear facts and modest amounts at stake. Forms are designed to be accessible to self-represented litigants, and with proper instructions and careful attention to detail, you can complete them correctly without professional help.

However, complex situations benefit significantly from professional review even if you complete the initial draft yourself. For LTB matters, tenants responding to eviction notices and landlords preparing notices and applications often find that professional representation catches errors that would otherwise delay or derail their case. Cases involving multiple issues, significant amounts of money, or unclear application of law to your facts are situations where having a paralegal review your forms before filing ensures your documents present your case as effectively as possible.

The form you need depends on what you are trying to accomplish, which court or tribunal has jurisdiction over your matter, and what stage the proceeding is at. Small Claims Court has different forms for starting a claim, responding to one filed against you, requesting a trial date, and enforcing a judgment. The Landlord and Tenant Board has different notice forms depending on the reason for eviction and different application forms for different types of disputes.

If you are unsure which form applies to your situation after reading the descriptions in these resources, contact the court or tribunal’s information desk for guidance about which form to use. Staff can tell you which form number is appropriate for your purpose, though they cannot give legal advice about how to complete it or whether your particular facts justify using that form.