Small claims & the Civil Resolution Tribunal
Last reviewed March 2024 by the Clicklaw editors
Small claims court handles disputes between $5,001 and $35,000. The process is simpler than in BC Supreme Court. You’ll be encouraged to settle instead of going to trial.
For a small claims case up to $5,000, you must use the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT), which is a way to resolve your case online. It’s part of BC’s justice system and can help people settle problems collaboratively without a lawyer or going to court.
Explore the links below to reliable online guides and tools and to organizations in BC. They have been chosen by librarians at Courthouse Libraries BC.
Selected resources
Click on a topic to see a list of resources.
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The CRT Process
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
The Civil Resolution Tribunal is an online system for resolving many types of civil law disputes without needing a lawyer or attending court. It encourages both parties to work together. If necessary, an independent tribunal member makes a decision about your claim. This page goes over the four main stages of the process and includes a video.
Last reviewed March 2024
Solution Explorer: Societies and Cooperative Associations
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
This tool helps people manage and resolve disputes about BC societies that are incorporated with the BC Corporate Registry, and housing and community service co-ops. If you can’t resolve your dispute using this tool, it will lead you to the CRT’s online application form.
Last reviewed March 2024
Forms
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
CRT forms in PDF format if you prefer to send a form by email or mail rather than submitting it online.
Last reviewed March 2024
Solution Explorer: Small Claims
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
The Solution Explorer is the first step in the online Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) process, with free legal information and self-help tools. You can apply to the CRT for small claims dispute resolution right from the Solution Explorer.
Last reviewed March 2024
Is Small Claims Court for Me?
Small Claims BC (Justice Education Society)
This website provides information and resources to help you through the small claims court process, and this page is the starting point to learn if small claims court is right for you.
Last reviewed March 2024
Dial-a-Law: Suing Someone in Small Claims Court
People’s Law School
Learn about what claims you can bring in small claims court, and what the time limit is. It details the steps in the process (prepare the notice of claim, file the notice of claim on court, serve the notice on the defendant, wait for a reply, and attend the settlement conference).
Last reviewed March 2024
Replying to a Claim in Small Claims Court
Government of British Columbia
This guide is for people being sued in small claims court. It explains some options for a person who has received a notice of claim, how to fill out a reply form (with examples), and next steps in the small claims court process.
Last reviewed March 2024
Dial-a-Law: Being Sued in Small Claims Court
People’s Law School
If a notice of claim names you as a defendant in a small claims court lawsuit, learn what options you have, how to act on them, and what happens next.
Last reviewed March 2024
Small Claims — Getting Ready for Court
Government of British Columbia
This guide is for people who have a small claims court case and are going to court for a settlement conference or a trial. It explains the process of the conference and trial.
Last reviewed March 2024
Small Claims Court Forms
Government of British Columbia
This page contains forms for small claims court. The forms are in a PDF format that you can fill out and print.
Last reviewed March 2024
Small Claims Court Filing Assistant
Government of British Columbia
This site is for people who want to begin a claim or already have one in small claims court. The “filing assistant” will help you complete small claims court forms online. Once you have filled out the form, you can print it and submit it in person or by mail.
Last reviewed March 2024
Waiving Filing Fees in Small Claims Court
People’s Law School
Explains that small claims court charges filing fees, which can be a barrier for many people. Find out how you can ask to have the fees waived, so you don’t have to pay them. It explains how the court decides whether or not to waive your fees, and the steps you need to take.
Last reviewed March 2024
Trial Conference (small claims court)
Small Claims BC (Justice Education Society)
This website provides information about trial conferences in small claims court. Trial conferences are a pilot procedure in claims over $5,001 and up to $35,000. They involve an informal one-on-one discussion with a Provincial Court judge. Learn how to prepare for a trial conference, and what to expect.
Last reviewed March 2024
Courtroom Procedures, Conduct and Customs
Provincial Court of British Columbia
Practical tips for attending court, including suggestions on how to dress, finding your courtroom, and court etiquette. Intended for both parties going to court and for observers watching cases.
Last reviewed December 2024
Learning Your Way Around a Courtroom
Provincial Court of British Columbia
A visual guide to the layout of a courtroom. You'll find a labelled image of the courtroom, showing you who sits where, and an explanation of some of the customs you’ll see in court.
Last reviewed December 2024
Enforcing Orders (small claims court)
Small Claims BC (Justice Education Society)
Even if you win your case, there is more to do to get your money or what the judge decided you were entitled to. This website explains your options for how to collect on a judgment.
Last reviewed March 2024
Small Claims — Getting Results
Government of British Columbia
This guide answers some questions about what happens in small claims after you have your court order stating what the judge says you’re entitled to. If you have lost your case and have to pay, it will tell you what some of your options are.
Last reviewed March 2024
Appeals (small claims court)
Small Claims BC (Justice Education Society)
A step-by-step guide to appealing a decision made in small claims court, which would take place in BC Supreme Court. Includes the relevant forms and the various deadlines and fees.
Last reviewed March 2024
Small Claims BC
Small Claims BC (Justice Education Society)
This online help guide provides information, videos, and personalized free legal help through online chat and phone to help you find earlier solutions for small claims court cases. It describes summary or simplified trials, mediation, trial conferences, preparing for court, court forms, and more.
Last reviewed March 2024
Small Claims How-To Guides
Government of British Columbia
Links to guides including What is small claims court?, Making a claim for proceedings initiated in small claims, Making a claim for proceedings previously initiated before Civil Resolution Tribunal, Replying to a claim, Serving documents, Getting ready for court, Getting results, and Mediation for claims between $10,000 and $35,000.
Last reviewed March 2024
Small Claims
Provincial Court of British Columbia
Small claims court generally hears cases between $5,001 and $35,000. This page has links to sample order terms, how to enforce orders, bringing support persons with you to court, and alternatives to court.
Last reviewed December 2024
Court Process
Small Claims BC (Justice Education Society)
This website explains the process of going to BC small claims court. You can learn more details about each step as you go through the web pages. Find out what to do if you’re being sued and how to sue someone in small claims court.
Last reviewed March 2024
LSLAP Manual: Small Claims and the CRT
Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter on small claims is used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It describes the processes involved in commencing or defending an action, exploring settlement options, getting to trial, and enforcing a judgment. It includes guides to filling out court forms.
Last reviewed September 2024