NWT Small Claims Court Forms Guide

Where to Download the Forms

All Territorial Court civil claims forms are available as fillable PDFs on nwtcourts.ca under the Court Forms section. You can type directly into the PDF fields on your computer, then print the completed form. The website is not an e-filing portal — there is no way to submit forms online. You must print, sign, and deliver them to a court registry in person or by mail.

The Forms You Need as a Plaintiff

The full set of civil claims forms runs from Form 1 to Form 45, but most claimants only use a handful. Here are the ones that matter at each stage of a typical claim:

Starting your case:

• Form 1 — Statement of Claim ($55 filing fee): The document that commences your action. It identifies the parties, the venue, what happened, and how much you are claiming.
• Form 45 — Additional Page: If your facts do not fit in Form 1's summary section, attach Form 45 continuation pages.

Serving the defendant:

• Form 3 — Affidavit of Service: Proves that you (or your process server) delivered Form 1 and a blank Form 2 to the defendant. Must be sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths.

If the defendant does not respond:

• Form 10 — Notice of Default: An administrative prerequisite filed before requesting default judgment.
• Form 11 — Default Judgment ($25 fee): The application and order entered when the defendant fails to file Form 2 within 25 days (30 if served outside the NWT).

Mediation and settlement:

• Form 19 — Offer to Settle: A formal settlement offer that triggers cost consequences if the other side rejects it unreasonably.
• Form 5 — Consent Order: Records an agreed adjournment or settlement terms.

Enforcement after judgment:

• Form 22 — Writ of Execution ($25 fee): Directs the Sheriff to seize the debtor's non-exempt personal property.
• Form 35 — Garnishee Summons ($25 fee): Attaches the debtor's bank accounts or wages.
• Form 23 — Summons to Payment Hearing ($25 fee): Compels the debtor to attend court and disclose their finances under oath.

How to Fill Out Form 1 (Statement of Claim)

Form 1 is the most important document in your case. Getting it wrong delays everything.

Party names: Use the defendant's exact legal name. For an individual, that means their full name as it appears on government ID. For a corporation, search the GNWT Corporate Registries Online System (CROS) to confirm the exact registered name — suing a trade name instead of the legal entity can make your judgment unenforceable.

Address for service: You must provide a physical address where documents can be delivered. PO Boxes are not accepted. If you live in a remote community, provide your physical street or community address.

What happened: Summarize the facts concisely — the date, what the defendant did or failed to do, and why they owe you money. This is not the place for your entire evidence file or legal arguments.

Amount claimed: Itemize the principal amount, any contractual interest, and disbursements. If your total exceeds C$35,000, you can check the abandonment box to cap your claim at the jurisdictional ceiling.

Venue: File at the registry nearest to where the defendant resides or carries on business, or where the transaction, breach, or event giving rise to the claim occurred. The three registries are in Yellowknife, Hay River, and Inuvik.

Common Mistakes That Cause Rejections

• Naming a trade name instead of the registered corporate entity
• Using a PO Box as the address for service
• Forgetting to include a blank Form 2 when serving the defendant (this blocks default judgment later)
• Filing an unsworn Form 3 — the affidavit must be sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths

For form-by-form completion instructions and a preparation checklist, see the NWT Small Claims Filing Guide.

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