Small Claims Court British Columbia Guide
Clear, province-specific guidance on small claims procedures, filing limits, fees, and court processes in British Columbia. Always confirm current rules with the appropriate court.
In This Guide
Courts & Claims
BC Provincial Court – Small Claims
https://provincialcourt.bc.ca/navigating-court-case/small-claims
Court Services Online (CSO)
https://justice.gov.bc.ca/cso/index.do
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
Forms & Filing
Small Claims Provincial Court Forms
CSO Filing Assistant
https://justice.gov.bc.ca/FilingAssistant/index.do
Filings & Fees
Fee Waiver PDF
Court Locations
Province of British Columbia – Courthouse Directory
https://provincialcourt.bc.ca/court-locations
Legal Help
Access Pro Bono BC
CBABC Lawyer Referral Service
People’s Law School
https://www.peopleslawschool.ca/
Clicklaw BC
Pro Bono Canada
- Use the Civil Resolution Tribunal for claims $5,000 or less, strata disputes, certain motor vehicle accidents, and society/cooperative association disputes. Use BC Provincial Court Small Claims for claims $5,001 to $35,000 involving debts, property damage, contract issues, or personal losses. For claims larger than $35,000, you may file but must abandon anything above $35,000 and cannot claim it later. Claims smaller than $5,001 usually go to the CRT unless refused, exempt, or enforcing a CRT order.
Civil Resolution Tribunal applies to many lower-value or specific dispute types.
Use Provincial Small Claims for $5,001 to $35,000.
Confirm whether CRT is required, optional, or exempt before filing.
Where to file: $5,000 or less through CRT online; $5,001–$35,000 by Notice of Claim at Provincial Court.
Filing may be in person, by mail, or online through CSO/Filing Assistant.
Choose registry closest to where defendant lives/does business or incident occurred.
Keep stamped claim form, receipts, and online reference numbers.
Serve filed Notice of Claim and blank Reply form.
For individuals, serve in-person or registered mail.
For businesses, serve registered office or director/manager at place of business.
Must serve within 12 months.
Keep tracking receipts or Certificate of Service.
Defendant has 14 days in BC to reply, longer outside BC.
You can settle anytime.
Settlement conferences may be scheduled with a judge or mediator.
CRT mediation and communications occur online.
At hearing, parties tell their story, show evidence, call witnesses, and answer questions.
CRT hearings may be online or phone, with written decision afterward.
If you win, keep judgment and enforce through wage garnishment, bank garnishment, or seizure of assets.
If you lose, appeals/reviews are limited.
If you need assistance preparing your claim or cannot afford legal representation, the following resources may help:
Legal Aid BC – legal information, advice, some representation
Pro Bono Law Alberta
Access Pro Bono BC – free advice clinics and lawyer connections
CBABC Lawyer Referral Service – free 15 minute consultation
People’s Law School – simple guides and videos
https://www.peopleslawschool.ca/
Clicklaw BC – legal self help directory
Law Society of Alberta
https://www.lawsociety.ab.ca/public/findalawyer/
Serve claim: within 12 months.
Defendant reply: 14 days in BC, 30 days elsewhere in Canada/US, 60 days outside North America.
No reply may allow default judgment.
Judgment usually payable within 30 days.
Use BC’s Courthouse Directory to find the nearest registry.
Registry staff can confirm which location applies.
Important Note
This information is for general guidance and is not legal advice. Small claims rules, fees, and claim limits may change. Always confirm curent details with your local court.