Small claims court has long been the recommended solution for deciding legal cases up to a certain dollar amount -- an amount which is due to rise.
But the court seems to be losing favour among Quebecers, especially those who become frustrated after winning cases.
Aleksandra Kozlovska is one such person who has been to court and won.
She put down a deposit for a kitchen renovation but was very disappointed with the quality of work performed by the company.
Kozlovska cancelled the contract and asked for a refund. The company refused and held onto her kitchen cabinet doors.
"I went to get my doors back and a policeman told me if I wasn't happy to take them to small claims court," said Kozlovska.
She won the case, and the court awarded her nearly $10,000 in damages, but after six months she has yet to see a penny.
"I won, but only on paper," she said.
Small Claims court cases have dropped
Over the past 30 years the number of people using Small Claims Court has dropped from just under 70,000 cases in 1981 to less than 20,000 in 2011.
The biggest drop has been since 1995 when due to budget cuts, clerks for small claims court could no longer execute judgements.
That means litigants are responsible for seeking their own damages, like Kozlovska is doing.
A lawyer for the Quebec Community Justice Centres says something is obviously wrong.
"The jurisdiction of Small Claims court has gone from $3000 to more than $7000 so technically there should be more cases covered by small claims," said Michele Moreau.
She is now part of a group examining the issue on behalf of the provincial government -- and they may end up making recommendations for changes.
In the meantime Kozlovska, like many other winning plaintiffs is trying to get what a judge has ordered her to have.
She has hired a recovery company and a bailiff to try and get back her money.
