What is the small claims limit in Manitoba?

20,000 dollars since January 1, 2025, set by regulation under the Court of King's Bench Small Claims Practices Act.

How long do I have to sue for money owed in Manitoba?

2 years from the day the claim is discovered, and no more than 15 years after the act or omission it is based on.

Manitoba Demand Letter: Deadline to Sue and Small Claims

Manitoba demand letter requirements

Your Manitoba demand letter has 4 rules to meet. ReportDraft puts every one on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

2 years to sue from discovery, 15 years at most
Small claims up to 20,000 dollars since 2025
The 15 years on a demand loan counted from the default (s. 11)

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Manitoba's Limitations Act gives 2 years from discovery and an outer limit of 15 years. The Court of King's Bench small claims procedure now takes claims up to 20,000 dollars: the regulation raised it from the 15,000 dollars still printed in the Act on January 1, 2025. Here is each rule with its source.

Last reviewed November 3, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

What	Details
Amount owing	$4,250.00
Payment was due	August 31, 2026
Pay in full by	November 17, 2026 (14 days after this letter)

What

Details

Amount owing

$4,250.00

Payment was due

August 31, 2026

Pay in full by

November 17, 2026 (14 days after this letter)

What	When	Rule
Last day to start a claim	September 1, 2028 (2 years from the day after payment was due, September 1, 2026)	The Limitations Act (Man.) s. 6, 7
Outer limit, whatever happens	15 years from the act or omission (for a demand obligation, the default after the demand)	The Limitations Act (Man.) s. 10 (1)
A part payment or a signed written acknowledgement of the debt	Under the The Limitations Act, starts the period again from that day if made before it runs out	The Limitations Act (Man.) s. 20 (1) to (3)
Where to file for this amount	Court of King's Bench small claims: claims up to $20,000, not counting interest and costs	Court of King's Bench Small Claims Practices Act s. 3 (1); M.R. 283/2014 s. 1.2

What

When

Rule

Last day to start a claim

September 1, 2028 (2 years from the day after payment was due, September 1, 2026)

The Limitations Act (Man.) s. 6, 7

Outer limit, whatever happens

15 years from the act or omission (for a demand obligation, the default after the demand)

The Limitations Act (Man.) s. 10 (1)

A part payment or a signed written acknowledgement of the debt

Under the The Limitations Act, starts the period again from that day if made before it runs out

The Limitations Act (Man.) s. 20 (1) to (3)

Where to file for this amount

Court of King's Bench small claims: claims up to $20,000, not counting interest and costs

Court of King's Bench Small Claims Practices Act s. 3 (1); M.R. 283/2014 s. 1.2

What Manitoba requires

A proceeding on a claim must not be started more than two years after the day the claim is discovered: the day the claimant first knew or ought to have known of the loss, its cause, who caused it and that a proceeding would be appropriateThe Limitations Act, s. 6 and 7
A claim for money of up to 20,000 dollars, including general damages of up to 2,000 dollars, may be filed under the small claims procedure of the Court of King's BenchThe Court of King's Bench Small Claims Practices Act, s. 3 (1) · Court of King's Bench Small Claims Practices Regulation, s. 1.2
For the 15-year period, a default in performing a demand obligation takes place on the day the default occurs, once a demand for performance is madeThe Limitations Act, s. 11 (1) (e)
Even if the basic period has not expired, a proceeding must not be started more than 15 years after the day the act or omission the claim is based on took placeThe Limitations Act, s. 10 (1)
An acknowledgement of the liability, made in writing and signed before the limitation period expires, starts the period afresh; for a debt, a part payment has the same effect, even without a promise to pay the restThe Limitations Act, s. 20 (1) to (4)

Two years from discovery

A claim must be started within 2 years of the day you first knew, or ought to have known, that you were not paid and that a proceeding is appropriate. The 15-year outer limit runs, for a demand loan, from the default after your demand.

Acknowledgements and part payments

A written, signed acknowledgement given to you before the period expires starts it afresh, and a part payment of a debt does the same, even with no promise to pay the balance.

Small claims

A claim for money up to 20,000 dollars, of which general damages are at most 2,000 dollars, can use the small claims procedure.

Common mistakes

Using the 15,000 dollar limit printed in the Act instead of the 20,000 dollar limit in force.
Waiting past 2 years for a promised payment that never came.
Accepting a verbal promise as an acknowledgement.

Sources

The Limitations Act, s. 6 and 7, checked November 3, 2026
The Court of King's Bench Small Claims Practices Act, s. 3 (1), checked November 3, 2026
Court of King's Bench Small Claims Practices Regulation, s. 1.2, checked November 3, 2026
The Limitations Act, s. 11 (1) (e), checked November 3, 2026
The Limitations Act, s. 10 (1), checked November 3, 2026
The Limitations Act, s. 20 (1) to (4), checked November 3, 2026

Last reviewed November 3, 2026. Next review due February 3, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.