Find a Lawyer » Canada Legal Guides » Ontario Legal Guides » Business & Commercial Law Ontario » Page 28
💡In Ontario, seeking an urgent Mareva injunction to freeze a debtor or partner’s bank accounts typically costs between $20,000 and $50,000+ CAD in upfront legal fees. This is an extreme,…
💡Under the Ontario Limitations Act, 2002, the standard statute of limitations for a breach of commercial contract is exactly two years from the date the breach was discovered. If you…
💡Bringing a motion for summary judgment in Ontario typically costs between $10,000 and $30,000 CAD in legal fees. While this is a significant upfront investment, a successful motion can save…
💡A shareholder oppression lawsuit in Ontario generally costs between $30,000 and $100,000+ CAD. However, under specific circumstances, the Superior Court of Justice can grant an “interim costs order,” legally forcing…
💡In Ontario, a commercial litigation lawyer typically charges between $350 and $800 CAD per hour for a breach of contract dispute. You can expect to pay an initial retainer of…
💡To operate your Ontario corporation under a different name (often called a DBA), you must register an “Operating Name” through the Ontario Business Registry (OBR). The provincial registration fee is…
💼Buying an existing business in Ontario through a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) means you are buying the corporate entity itself, inheriting both its assets and its liabilities. Conducting thorough due…
💼To change a sole proprietorship to a corporation in Ontario, you must file Articles of Incorporation (costing $300 CAD), close your old business, and legally transfer your assets to the…
🚨If another business in Ontario is using your company’s name and causing customer confusion, your first step is usually sending a formal Cease and Desist letter. If they refuse to…
💵As of March 2026, an Ontario corporate lawyer generally charges between $1,500 and $5,000 CAD to draft a comprehensive Shareholder Agreement. The total cost depends heavily on the complexity of…
⏱In Ontario, registering a Master Business Licence (now officially called a Business Name Registration) is incredibly fast. If you apply online through the Ontario Business Registry, the process is generally…
🤝To legally register a General Partnership in Ontario, you must register the business name through the Ontario Business Registry (costing $60 CAD). Most importantly, you should have a formal Partnership…
📖To transfer ownership of an Ontario private corporation, you must issue or transfer shares, formally record the change in the corporate Minute Book, and file a Notice of Change with…
💵As of March 2026, incorporating a provincial business in Ontario requires a mandatory $300 CAD government filing fee through the Ontario Business Registry (OBR). An Ontario-biased NUANS name search report…
💡When a co-founder wants to exit the business in Ontario, you must first consult your Unanimous Shareholder Agreement for any buy-sell provisions. To formalize the separation, shares are typically valued…
💡To draft a legally binding Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) in Ontario, you must clearly define what constitutes confidential information and include a specific time limit. If a breach occurs, you can…
💡To legally dissolve and close a provincial corporation in Ontario, you must file Articles of Dissolution through the Ontario Business Registry for a government fee of $25 CAD. Additionally, you…
💡Closing a commercial real estate transaction in Ontario typically takes between 30 and 90 days. The longest phase is usually the buyer’s Due Diligence period (often 30 to 45 days),…
💰Lawyer fees for buying an existing business in Ontario typically range from $5,000 to $15,000+ CAD. The final cost depends heavily on whether you are executing an Asset Purchase or…
💡In Ontario, an Asset Purchase allows you to buy a business’s equipment and client lists without taking on its past legal liabilities. A Share Purchase transfers the entire legal corporation…
💰The base government fee to incorporate a business in Ontario ranges from $300 to $900+ CAD. However, failing to hire a lawyer to draft a Shareholder Agreement upfront can be…
🎯 Specialization: Business Litigation, Estate Planning, Commercial Real Estate, Employment Law
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 43 Queen St W, Brampton, Ontario
🏢 Est: 1924
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Small Claims Court, Business Disputes, Shareholder Agreements, Civil Litigation
🗣️ Languages: English, Vietnamese
📍 Address: 1235 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2011
🎯 Specialization: Municipal Law, Land Development, Commercial Real Estate, Wrongful Dismissal
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 85 Plymouth St, Ottawa, Ontario
🏢 Est: 1975
🎯 Specialization: Patent Prosecution, Trademark Registration, Industrial Designs, IP Litigation
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 250 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario
🏢 Est: 1893
🎯 Specialization: Commercial Litigation, Corporate Governance, Estate Administration
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 251 Goyeau St Suite 510, Windsor, Ontario
🎯 Specialization: Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Insurance Defence, Corporate Governance
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 77 City Centre Dr, Mississauga, Ontario
🏢 Est: 1948
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Notary Services, Corporate Governance, Real Estate Closings
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 1600 Steeles Ave W Unit 207, Vaughan, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2021
🎯 Specialization: Civil Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Business Disputes, Real Estate Litigation, Regulatory Defence
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 2300 Yonge St, Toronto, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2016
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Motor Vehicle Accidents, Long Term Disability, Medical Malpractice, Commercial Litigation
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 300 Lakeshore Dr, Barrie, Ontario
🏢 Est: 1995
🎯 Specialization: Intellectual Property, Patent Law, Trademark Opposition, Corporate Tax, Offshore Asset Protection
🗣️ Languages: English, Russian
📍 Address: 135 Bayfield St, Barrie, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Fine Payment, Trial Request, Disclosure Request, Transcript Request
📍 362 Montreal St, Kingston, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Tribunal Decisions, Appeal Filings
📍 655 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Criminal Trial Office, Crown Attorney Office, Victim Witness Assistance Program, Jury Management
📍 361 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Board Minutes, Agendas, Policy Documents, Strategic Plans
📍 10 Peel Centre Dr, Brampton, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Tribunal Decisions, Procurement Review Determinations
📍 333 Laurier Ave W, Ottawa, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Court Filings, Support Orders, Restraining Orders
📍 36 Wyndham St S, Guelph, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Court Orders, Divorce Decrees, Bail Recognizance, Criminal Records, Civil Filings
📍 150 Bond St E, Oshawa, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Work Refusal Reports, Injury Reports, Employment Claim Files
📍 4510 Rhodes Dr, Windsor, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Death Certificates, Cremation Certificates, Out-of-Province Body Shipment
📍 366 King St E, Kingston, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Remand Unit, Sentenced Offenders Unit, Health Care Services
📍 711 Exeter Rd, London, Ontario
Welcome to the Ontario Business and Commercial Law guide centre. Here you will find comprehensive resources covering everything from initial incorporation to complex contract disputes, based on current provincial regulations.
Business and commercial law in Ontario governs how enterprises are formed, managed, and dissolved, ensuring fair trade and corporate responsibility. Whether you are launching a tech startup in Toronto or managing a manufacturing centre in Hamilton, understanding the legal framework is essential for sustainable growth. This area of law operates under a mix of provincial statutes, such as the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), and overarching federal legislation. Navigating this landscape involves dealing with corporate governance, employment standards, and day-to-day commercial transactions.
Staying compliant with current Ontario regulations protects your enterprise from costly litigation and regulatory penalties. A proactive approach to legal matters helps businesses secure financing, establish clear partnerships, and maintain a robust defence against potential liabilities.
When business disputes arise in Ontario that cannot be resolved through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution, they often proceed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. This court system includes the highly specialized Commercial List located in Toronto, which is dedicated to handling complex corporate and commercial litigation efficiently. Having a specialized court allows for faster resolutions of critical business matters, such as insolvencies and major shareholder conflicts.
Businesses in the province also regularly interact with specific governmental and regulatory bodies. For instance, corporate registrations, name searches, and compliance filings are managed through the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery. At the federal level, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) oversees corporate taxation, payroll deductions, and GST/HST remittance, while the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) regulates specific provincial sectors like credit unions and insurance.
Corporate law is highly technical, and a simple oversight in a commercial lease or a compliance form can lead to significant financial liability. We strongly advise against attempting to resolve complex commercial disputes or draft critical corporate documents without professional assistance. Retaining a qualified business lawyer ensures that your enterprise’s interests are protected and that you remain fully compliant with both provincial and federal laws.
A skilled legal professional can identify risks before they escalate into costly court battles. You can find a list of relevant local lawyers and government agencies at the top of this page. Relying on expert legal counsel is a fundamental investment in the security, compliance, and longevity of your business operations.
Rates vary widely based on the lawyer’s experience, the firm’s size, and the complexity of your legal needs. Many corporate lawyers charge hourly rates ranging from $250 to over $800, while routine services like a standard incorporation or drafting a basic contract are often offered at a transparent flat fee.
Under the Ontario Limitations Act, the basic limitation period for commencing a legal action is generally two years from the day the claim was discovered, or reasonably ought to have been discovered. However, there are exceptions, and certain contracts may have specific clauses that affect timelines.
Provincial incorporation under the Business Corporations Act is often suitable for businesses operating primarily within Ontario. Federal incorporation provides heightened corporate name protection across Canada and is generally recommended for enterprises planning to operate or open branches nationwide.
The Commercial List is a specialized branch of the Superior Court of Justice based in Toronto. It is designed to hear complex commercial, corporate, and insolvency matters swiftly, utilizing judges who have significant expertise in business law.
Articles of incorporation officially create the company and set out its basic structure as a public record. A shareholder agreement is a private, detailed contract among the owners that dictates how the company will be managed, how shares can be sold, and how internal disputes will be resolved.
Yes, many commercial lease disputes are successfully resolved through alternative dispute resolution methods such as negotiation, mediation, or arbitration. These approaches can save businesses substantial time and legal costs compared to pursuing formal litigation in court.
