Small claims court - procedures and fees

Small claims processes in B.C. have changed.

As of June 1, 2017, the Civil Resolution Tribunal began resolving most small claims up to $5,000.  The monetary jurisdiction for small claims cases in Provincial Court has been increased to $35,000 and simplified trials at Richmond and Robson Square now include cases up to $10,000.  Visit the Provincial Court of B.C. website and the Civil Resolution Tribunal website to learn more about these changes.  Find information about the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act.

In Small Claims Court, people can settle their differences in cases worth up to $35,000. The rules and procedures for small claims are less formal and complicated than Supreme Court.

Anyone who uses Small Claims Court is encouraged to settle by agreement, rather than in a trial. If necessary, a trial is held and a judge will decide the claim.

Small claims guides

A series of guides have been developed by the Ministry of Attorney General and the Provincial Court of British Columbia. The guides may be helpful if you are pursuing, or involved in, a Small Claims Court action.

Fees

There are fees for filing documents and other registry services related to small claims.

• Review the fees for Small Claims Court

Payments can be made with cash, debit card, cheque (including certified cheque) money order or bank draft.  Cheques and money orders should be payable to the Minister of Finance.

If you live outside Canada, and are unable to pay using Canadian funds, find out what payment options are available:

• Contact the court registry where you are filing

Filing court documents

You may need to submit documents or forms if you are participating in a court proceeding - these can be submitted in person, by mail, electronically or, in some cases, faxed to the court registry.

• File in person or by mail - find a court registry
• File by fax
• File electronically through Court Services Online (CSO)

Interpreters

Court Services Branch does not provide spoken-language interpreters for provincial small claims cases. However, free visual-language interpreters are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. If you need a visual-language interpreter, please contact the local court registry as soon as possible. A local interpreter is not always available, and particularly in smaller locations, courts need lead time to arrange an interpreter.

If you need help with the English language on a small claims proceeding other than a trial, a judge may allow a family member or friend to help you in a settlement conference, as long as they will not be a witness, are not involved in the dispute, and their presence will not be disruptive.

If you require a spoken-language interpreter at a trial, you must make your own booking and payment arrangements with a professional interpreter who has the necessary skills to work in a court setting. Resources to help you find an interpreter are available.