Glossary
In Debt and Consumer Rights, Family Law
The matrimonial home is the property that was usually used by married partners as their family home at the time they separated.
There can be more than one matrimonial home.
Common-law partners cannot have a matrimonial home.
In Debt and Consumer Rights, Employment and Work, Housing Law, Human Rights
In mediation, people who do not agree on something meet with someone called a mediator. The mediator tries to help them find a solution that they agree on.
A mediator does not make decisions or force anyone to agree to anything. If people make an agreement after mediation, they either:
- will not need to have a hearing at a court or tribunal, where a judge or adjudicator decides for them, or
- will only need a hearing about the things they still do not agree on.
A minimum payment is the smallest amount of money that you must pay on a debt or bill each month in order to avoid late fees and to keep a good credit history. The minimum payment amount is set by the creditor based upon how much you owe.
In Ontario, a minor is anyone under the age of 18. Minors are not legally responsible for some things that they do. For example, you usually can’t enforce a contract against a minor to collect money from them.
The Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund helps buyers who lose money because of a deal with a registered dealer. This can include a car that does not work, or a car that is reported as stolen and taken by police.