Common Questions
Where do I start for information on Small Claims Court?Last reviewed in April 2023 by the Clicklaw Editors
ALERT: Changes to the Small Claims Rules came into effect on October 3, 2022. For a summary of these changes, please read Key Changes to Small Claims Rules on October 3, 2022.
Are you suing someone or being sued in BC Provincial Court? For debt, damages, personal property or specific performance of a contract?
Use the online resources listed here to help you learn how to deal with your matter at Small Claims Court (BC Provincial Court), which generally hears cases between $5,001 and $35,000.
Most claims up to $5,000, some vehicle accident claims up to $50,000, and some claims involving strata corporations are dealt with online by the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT).
The table below outlines where you can go to resolve your small claims matter. For more information on the types of disputes that you can bring to Small Claims Court, visit the Small Claims Cases page of the BC Provincial Court website.
| Claim Amount | Where to Go |
|---|---|
| Up to $5,000 | Civil Resolution Tribunal* (online) - a few exceptions |
| $5,001 to $35,000 | Small Claims Court (BC Provincial Court) - except for some claims related to motor vehicle accidents and claims involving strata corporations* |
| $35,001 or more | BC Supreme Court |
Note: Information providers can download this one-page PDF handout with a short bit.ly link to this webpage and post it or give it to people seeking information.
Resources from BC Provincial Court
The Provincial Court of BC has put together information you can use to deal with your small claims case. Go to Small Claims Cases on their website, where you can find the following guides and more to help you prepare for your settlement conference and trial:
- Guide to Preparing for BC Small Claims Court – a detailed guide for claimants and defendants using a sample case.
- Getting the most from your Small Claims Settlement Conference - answers to all your questions about settlement conferences, including how to prepare.
- Preparing for Small Claims Court - a checklist for trial preparation.
- Organizing Documents for Small Claims Court - tips on getting your documents in order.
- Attending Court Remotely - information and guides on attending court using Microsoft Teams video-conferencing or by telephone.
Resources from the Provincial Government
The Ministry of Attorney General provides small claims guides and court forms.
- A series of guides providing an overview of the process, the steps in a typical case, and FAQs.
- Includes: making a claim, replying to a claim, serving documents, getting ready for court, getting results (enforcing payment orders), and mediation. Step-by-step instructions on how to fill out a Notice of Claim, with examples.
- PDF files for each guide are available for you to download and print.
- Simplified Trials - information about trials at the Richmond and Robson Square, Vancouver courthouses for cases betwen $5001 to $10,000.
- PDF forms for small claims.
- Includes: the Small Claims Filing Assistant for help with completing the forms and Court Services Online (CSO) for electronic filing.
Need more information?
Small Claims BC by Justice Education Society
- A comprehensive guide helping you learn about small claims, all in one website.
- Includes: overview, starting a claim, court process, preparing your case, after trial.
- You can ask questions by live chat.
Need help?
The following services can help with free legal advice if you meet their financial eligibility requirements.
- Access Pro Bono’s Summary Advice Program. Call 1-877-762-6664 or fill out their online form.
- Law Students Legal Advice Clinics for people in the Lower Mainland. Call 604--822-5791 to book an appointment.
- The Law Centre for people in Victoria Regional District. Call 250-385-1221 to book an appointment.
- TRU Community Legal Clinic for people in the BC Interior. Call 778-471-8490 to book an appointment.
The following services provide other assistance you may need throughout the process.
- Justice Education Society's Ask JES provides help with legal information and resources. Call/text 1-855-875-8867 or use live chat on their website.
- Courthouse Libraries BC provides legal information services via a network of libraries in BC courthouses. Call 1-800-665-2570 or email librarian@courthouselibrary.ca before visiting our library for help with legal research and access to public computers, print materials, and legal databases.
- AC Friends of Court helps with completing court forms and preparing for a virtual court session. Book an appointment on their website.
Find more legal help near you on Clicklaw HelpMap.
*For most claims up to $5,000, you will use the online Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT). Visit civilresolutionbc.ca to access CRT's Small Claims Solution Explorer, the first step in dispute resolution. If you had a vehicle accident between April 1, 2019 and April 30, 2021, the CRT can also take claims about minor injury determinations and fault and damages up to $50,000.
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