British Columbia Small Claims
Big systems count on silence — but Small Claims Court is proof that people can fight back.
In British Columbia, you have the legal right to take action, recover losses, and hold others accountable, even without a lawyer.
This guide breaks down the entire process, simply and transparently, so you can move forward with confidence.
Quick Links
Below are official and trusted sources for Small Claims, filing, and legal help in British Columbia.
⚖️ Courts & Claims
BC Provincial Court – Small Claims
→ Main resource for claim information, rules, and guides.
Court Services Online (CSO)
→ File and manage your claim online.
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
→ File smaller claims ($5,000 or less) or strata disputes online.
🧾 Forms & Filing
Provincial Court Forms – Small Claims
→ Download fillable PDF forms like Notice of Claim, Reply, or Payment Order.
Court Services Online – Filing Assistant
→ File forms electronically with step-by-step guidance.
💰 Costs, Fees & Waivers
Application for Fee Exemption (Request to Waive Fees)
→ Apply to have filing fees waived if you can’t afford them.
BC Provincial Court Fees Schedule
→ View the current fee amounts for filing, serving, or enforcement.
🏛️ Court Locations
Courthouse Locations – Province of British Columbia
→ Find the registry nearest to you for filing or attending hearings.
🧑⚖️ Legal Aid & Free Help
Check if your small claim qualifies
In British Columbia, small claims are handled by one of two systems depending on how much money is involved and what the dispute is about: the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) or the BC Provincial Court (Small Claims Court).
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
The CRT is Canada’s first online tribunal, created to handle lower-value and specific types of disputes.
You’ll need to go through the CRT if: Your claim is $5,000 or less, or
The issue involves a strata property, certain motor vehicle accidents, or a society or cooperative association dispute, no matter the amount.
Some disputes must go through the CRT by law, while others can be handled there voluntarily if both sides agree.
👉 Visit the Civil Resolution Tribunal website for details and online filing.
BC Provincial Court – Small Claims Division
If the amount you’re claiming is between $5,001 and $35,000, your case generally belongs in Small Claims Court. These courts hear cases involving things like unpaid debts, damage to property, contract disputes, or compensation for personal loss.
If your claim is larger than $35,000: You can still file in Small Claims Court, but you’ll need to give up (“abandon”) any amount over $35,000. Once you do, you can’t sue again for that difference later.
If your claim is under $5,001: It normally goes to the CRT first, unless the CRT refuses to handle it, the dispute is exempt, or you’re trying to enforce an existing CRT order.
👉 Learn more about Small Claims Court on the BC Provincial Court website.
Prepare your claim
Before filing, take a little time to get your case ready. It saves time later and helps you stay organized.
📨 Send a Demand Letter
Try to resolve the issue before going to court.
Include:
What happened and what you want.
A deadline (usually 14–30 days).
A note saying you’ll file a claim if there’s no response.
Tip: Send by registered mail or another trackable method and keep proof of delivery.
📁 Gather Your Evidence
Collect everything that supports your story:
Receipts, contracts, emails, texts.
Photos or videos of damage.
Names and contact info of any witnesses.
A short timeline of events in order.
🧾 Complete the Right Form
It depends on how much you’re claiming:
$5,000 or less: File online with the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT).
$5,001–$35,000: Fill out a Notice of Claim (Form 1) for Small Claims Court and file it at the Provincial Court nearest the defendant.
✅ Once you’ve done this, you’ll be ready to move on to filing and serving your claim.
Costs & Fee Waivers
Filing a small claim in BC usually comes with some court fees, but there are options if you can’t afford them.
💰 Common Fees
You may need to pay small fees for:
Filing your claim
Serving documents
Applying for enforcement or appeals
Fee amounts depend on the type of application and where it’s filed.
🧾 Fee Waivers
If paying would cause hardship, you can apply for a fee waiver.
Ask the court registry for a “Request to Waive Fees” form or visit SmallClaimsBC.ca.
The court may reduce or remove fees based on your income and situation.
✅ Keep receipts for any fees you do pay — you may be able to recover them if you win your case.
File your claim
Once you’ve gathered your documents and filled out the correct forms, it’s time to file your claim with the right court or tribunal.
🖥️ Choose Where to File
Where you file depends on your claim amount:
$5,000 or less: File online through the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT).
$5,001–$35,000: File your Notice of Claim with the BC Provincial Court (Small Claims Division).
You can file in person, by mail, or online using Court Services Online (CSO)
📍 2. Pick the Right Location
File your claim at the Provincial Court registry closest to:
Where the defendant lives or carries on business, or
Where the event or dispute took place.
Find a court registry near you →
Find courthouse locations near you →
Keep Copies
Always keep copies of:
Your filed claim form (with court stamp).
Any receipts or proof of payment.
Any reference number if filed online.
You’ll need these when you move on to serving the defendant.
✅ Once your claim is officially filed, you’re ready for the next step — serving the defendant.
Serve the defendant
After you’ve filed your claim, the next step is to serve it on the other party (called the defendant). Serving means officially delivering your court documents so the defendant knows about the case.
📬 What You Need to Serve
You must serve:
A copy of your filed Notice of Claim, and
A blank Reply form (so the defendant can respond).
If you filed through the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT), the system will guide you through the serving process online.
👤 How to Serve
The rules depend on whether the defendant is a person or a business:
For a person:
Deliver the documents to them in person, or
Send by registered mail to their home address.
For a business:
Deliver the documents to the business’s registered office, or
To a company director, officer, or manager at their place of business.
You can also hire a process server if you don’t want to handle it yourself.
⏰ Time Limits
You have up to 12 months from the date you filed your claim to serve the defendant.
If they aren’t served in that time, you’ll need to apply to renew your claim.
🧾 Keep Proof of Service
You’ll need to prove the defendant was properly served.
Keep:
The mail receipt or tracking confirmation, or
A Certificate of Service (if delivered in person).
You’ll file this proof with the court if the defendant doesn’t respond or if your case moves forward to a hearing.
✅ Once the defendant has been served, they have 14 days to respond by filing a Reply form. If they don’t respond in time, you may be able to request a default judgment in your favour.
Mediation / Settlement
Many small claims are resolved before trial through negotiation or mediation. It’s often faster and cheaper than going to court.
🤝 Settle Early if You Can
You can agree to resolve the dispute any time before trial.
If both sides agree:
Write down the terms, and
Ask the court or CRT to make it official if needed.
🗣️ Settlement Conferences (Small Claims Court)
For court cases, a settlement conference may be scheduled before trial.
A judge or mediator helps both sides talk it out and possibly reach an agreement.
If you don’t attend, the court can make a decision without you.
💻 Mediation (Civil Resolution Tribunal)
If you filed through the CRT, mediation happens online.
You’ll use the portal to communicate, share evidence, and try to reach a settlement.
✅ If no agreement is reached, your case moves to a hearing where a judge will decide.
Court Hearing
If your case doesn’t settle, it will move to a hearing (or trial) where a judge makes the final decision.
⚖️Be Prepared
Bring all your evidence, witnesses, and documents.
Organize your papers in the order you’ll present them.
Be ready to clearly explain what happened and what you’re asking for.
🗣️ What Happens in Court
Each side tells their story and presents evidence.
Witnesses can speak or answer questions.
The judge may ask questions to clarify details.
After both sides finish, the judge gives a decision or judgment.
💬 If You Filed with the CRT
Your hearing happens online or by phone, depending on your case.
The CRT member reviews your submissions and then issues a written decision.
✅ After the hearing, the judge or CRT member will issue a judgment explaining the outcome and what happens next.
Judgement & Enforcement
When the court or tribunal makes a decision, it’s called a judgment. It explains who won and what must be paid or done.
⚖️ If You Win
Keep a copy of your judgment.
The court doesn’t collect money for you, but you can:
Arrange payment schedules
Garnish wages or bank accounts
Seize assets through the sheriff’s office
Some enforcement steps have small fees or forms to file.
📄 If You Lose
If you think there was an error, you may be able to appeal or ask the court to review the judgment — but only in specific cases.
✅ Once the judgment is paid or completed, your case is closed.
Court Locations
You’ll file your Small Claims documents at the Provincial Court registry closest to:
Where the defendant lives or does business, or
Where the dispute or incident occurred.
Use the government’s official directory to find the nearest courthouse:
👉 Courthouse Locations – Province of British Columbia
Each listing includes the address, phone number, and operating hours for that court registry.
✅ Tip:
If you’re not sure which location to use, call the nearest registry — staff can confirm where your claim should be filed.
Legal Aid / Options
If you need help with your small claim or can’t afford a lawyer, these services offer free or low-cost legal assistance.
⚖️ Legal Aid BC (LABC)
The main public legal aid service for BC.
Provides free legal information, advice, and sometimes representation (based on income).
🌐 legalaid.bc.ca
📞 Call Centre: 1-866-577-2525
💬 Access Pro Bono BC
A nonprofit that connects people with volunteer lawyers for free legal advice and limited representation.
Includes summary advice clinics, telephone clinics, and full representation programs.
🏛️ Canadian Bar Association – BC Branch (CBABC)
Runs the Lawyer Referral Service, where you can speak to a lawyer for 15 minutes for free.
They can help with civil, small claims, or consumer matters.
🧑⚖️ Pro Bono Canada Directory
National database that lists free or low-cost legal help across Canada, including BC clinics and nonprofits.
🧾 People’s Law School
Offers free, easy-to-understand guides, videos, and self-help resources about BC law — including small claims, contracts, and debt.
📚 Clicklaw BC
Online directory of legal information, self-help tools, and referral services run by Courthouse Libraries BC.
Great for forms, guides, and finding the right help for your situation.
✅ Tip:
Most of these services can explain the court process, help you fill out forms, and connect you to a lawyer or legal advocate if you qualify.
Response Times
Serve Claim: within 12 months of filing.
Defendant Reply:
14 days – in BC
30 days – in Canada/US
60 days – outside North America
No Reply: claimant can request a default judgment.
Hearing: usually set a few months after Reply.
Payment: judgment normally due in 30 days.
✅ Keep track — missing a deadline can lead to an automatic judgment.