In Manitoba, small claims up to $20,000 run inside the Court of King's Bench, usually before a court officer. Appeals are narrow: only on a question of law or jurisdiction, and only with a judge's permission. This guide covers filing, the hearing, the evidence that proves an unpaid loan, and the limitation clock.
Recovering a loan in Manitoba comes with a surprise: there's no separate small claims court to go to. You claim up to $20,000 inside the Court of King's Bench, the province's superior court, through a deliberately simplified process you can use without a lawyer — usually decided by a court officer rather than in a formal trial. Here's how it works.
Like PEI, Manitoba has no standalone small claims court. Instead, small claims run inside the Court of King's Bench, usually heard by a court officer under a simplified procedure. The limit is $20,000 (since January 1, 2025).
Manitoba's unusual setup
In most provinces "small claims court" is a distinct court. Manitoba folds the function into its superior court — the Court of King's Bench — but applies a stripped-down, self-representation-friendly process. Your case is usually decided by a court officer (a judge hears some claims), not in a formal trial, which keeps things accessible despite the imposing court name.
The $20,000 limit
Manitoba's small claims process covers monetary disputes up to $20,000 — unpaid debts and loans, breach of contract, property damage, and the like. If your loan exceeds the limit, it doesn't disappear; it simply proceeds as an ordinary King's Bench action with fuller procedure. (Manitoba raised the ceiling from $15,000 to $20,000 on January 1, 2025.)
Filing and the court officer
You file your claim on paper at a Court of King's Bench office (electronic filing isn't accepted), setting out the borrower, the amount, and the facts of the loan, with your supporting documents. The filing fee is $75 for claims up to $5,000 and $100 above that. The matter is then set before a court officer, who hears both sides in a less formal setting and renders a decision. Bring your proof the money moved and was understood as a loan.
Appealing a decision
If you think the court officer got the law wrong, you can ask a King's Bench judge for permission to appeal, within 30 days, but only on a question of law or jurisdiction, not on the facts. The judge's decision is final. Appeals are narrow, so treat the court officer's hearing as your main chance to prove the loan.
Enforcement
A decision in your favour becomes enforceable like any King's Bench judgment, through garnishment or seizure. As always, the order is your authority to collect — actually recovering the money may require pursuing the debtor's wages, accounts, or assets.
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Create my loan agreement →Common questions
Does Manitoba have a separate small claims court?
No. Like PEI, Manitoba runs small claims inside its superior court — here, the Court of King's Bench — where claims are usually heard by a court officer using a simplified procedure rather than in a formal trial. It's designed to be used without a lawyer, and you file on paper at a court office.
How much can I claim in Manitoba?
Up to $20,000 through the King's Bench small claims process — Manitoba raised the ceiling from $15,000 on January 1, 2025. The filing fee is $75 for claims up to $5,000 and $100 above that. Above the limit, the matter proceeds as a regular King's Bench action.
What if I disagree with the court officer's decision?
You can't simply ask for a rehearing. You can ask a King's Bench judge for permission to appeal, within 30 days, but only on a question of law or jurisdiction — not because you think the officer got the facts wrong. The judge's decision is final, so bring all your evidence to the first hearing.
How long do I have to sue in Manitoba?
Generally two years from when you discovered the loan wasn't repaid, under The Limitations Act (C.C.S.M. c. L150), with a 15-year ultimate limit. For a loan repayable on demand, the clock starts on the day the borrower defaults after you demand repayment. A signed written acknowledgement of the debt, or a part payment, restarts the period.
General information for Manitoba, not legal advice; LendRight is not a law firm. Manitoba's small claims limit and procedure can change — confirm current details with the Court of King's Bench before filing.
We write plain-language guides on lending between family and friends in Canada, reviewed against current provincial and CRA rules. LendRight is not a law firm — this is general information, not legal advice.