Small Claims in the Civil Resolution Tribunal
The civil resolution tribunal has jurisdiction over small claims matters where the claim does not exceed $5,000.
This can include monetary claims relating to:
- Breach of contract
- Repayment of loans
- Wrongful dismissal and employment claims
- ICBC claims under $5,000
- Construction disputes
Claims must be brought within 2 years of the claim arising.
Claims exceeding $5,000 but less than $35,000 must be brought in the BC Provincial Court Small Claims. Claims exceeding $35,000 must be brought in BC Supreme Court.
Except in special circumstances, the civil resolution tribunal does not let you have a lawyer represent you in proceedings before it (section 20 of CRTA). However, you may need a lawyer to assist you in some circumstances.
You should consider first talking with a lawyer to determine:
- How much your claim is worth
- The applicability of any limitation periods to your claim
- The jurisdiction of the CRT relating to your claim
You can ask the civil resolution tribunal for an exception to be represented. They will only allow you a representative in exceptional circumstances (The Owners, Strata Plan NW 2575 v Booth, 2018 BCSC 1605).
The first stage of using the civil resolution tribunal online interface involves completing the solution explorer. Once you make a claim, the CRT will attempt you assist you to negotiate a solution. If that is unsuccessful, the claim gets referred to a dispute resolution facilitator. Finally, if the dispute remains unresolved, it proceeds to the adjudication stage where a decision is made by a civil resolution tribunal adjudicator.