Northwest Territories Small Claims Court Forms Download Guide for Defendants

Forms You Actually Need as a Defendant

The Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories uses numbered forms for every step of a civil claim. As a defendant, the forms you'll interact with depend on how you respond and how the case progresses. All blank forms are available as free PDF downloads from nwtcourts.ca.

Here are the forms that matter most when you're on the receiving end of a claim:

Form 2: Your Defence (and Possible Counterclaim)

Form 2 is the document that keeps you in the case. You have 25 calendar days from service inside the NWT (30 days if served outside the territory) to complete and file it. Missing this deadline lets the plaintiff apply for default judgment.

The form has distinct sections: a dispute section where you respond to each item in the plaintiff's claim, an agreement section if you want to admit some or all of what's owed and propose payment terms, and a counterclaim section if you believe the plaintiff owes you money from the same dispute.

Copy the Registry Location and File Number exactly from the Form 1 you were served. Use your full legal name and a physical address — the registry won't accept a PO box as your service address.

Form 45: When You Need More Space

Form 2 doesn't give you much room to explain your side. If your defence involves multiple disputed items, a detailed timeline, or a counterclaim with its own set of facts, check the "additional page" box on Form 2 and attach Form 45 (Additional Page).

Each Form 45 sheet carries the same registry file number as your case. Number your pages sequentially and reference which section of Form 2 each page continues. The court expects concise factual statements, not legal arguments — save the analysis for the settlement conference.

Form 4: Changing Your Address Mid-Case

If you move during your case, file Form 4 (Change of Address) with the registry immediately. The court and the opposing party send all notices, hearing schedules, and documents to the address on file. An outdated address means you could miss a hearing notice or mediation date and face consequences for non-attendance.

File Form 4 the same way you filed Form 2 — in person at the registry, by mail, or by emailing a signed PDF to the registry clerk.

Other Forms You Might Encounter

• Form 40 (Application to Judge) — use this to request an extension, set aside a default judgment, or ask to attend by phone or video from a remote community. If you are asking to set aside a default judgment, explicitly request a stay of enforcement while the judge considers your application.
• Form 16 (Notice to Attend) — if a witness with relevant evidence won't come voluntarily, this form legally compels their attendance at trial
• Form 19 (Offer to Settle) — a formal settlement offer you can serve on the plaintiff before or during mediation

Where to Submit

All forms go to the court registry where the case was filed:

• Yellowknife — 4903 49th Street, PO Box 550 (9:30 AM – 4:00 PM)
• Hay River — 201 8 Capital Drive (9:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
• Inuvik — 151 Mackenzie Road (9:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)

Filing by mail counts from the date the registry receives the form, not when you mail it. Email filing is accepted as signed PDFs sent to [email protected] (Yellowknife and Inuvik) or [email protected] (Hay River).

The Responding to a Small Claim in Northwest Territories guide walks you through each form with line-by-line instructions, drafting worksheets, and deadline calculations for every stage of your case.

See more Northwest Territories guides →