Small Claims Court in British Columbia
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Canadian federal statutes and official sources. Provincial information reflects each province's own legislation and court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Small claims court is an accessible, low-cost court designed for everyday civil disputes. You generally don't need a lawyer, and the process is designed for self-represented people.
The monetary limits vary dramatically by province:
- Alberta: up to $100,000
- Ontario: up to $50,000 (increased October 2025)
- British Columbia: Civil Resolution Tribunal up to $5,000; Small Claims Court up to $35,000
- Quebec: up to $15,000 — and lawyers are not allowed to represent you
The basic process is: file your claim, serve the other party, attend the hearing, and get a judgment.
When does it apply?
- Civil disputes — unpaid invoices, property damage, breach of contract, consumer complaints, security deposit disputes.
- Your claim must be within the monetary limit for your province.
What to Do If You Need to Sue Someone for Money in Canada
- Determine the correct court and monetary limit for your province before filing.
- Gather your evidence — receipts, contracts, photos, emails, text messages.
- File your claim and pay the filing fee (usually under $200).
- Serve the other party according to the court's rules.
- Attend the hearing prepared — bring all your documents organized and ready to present.
- Bring witnesses who can support your version of events.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't miss the limitation period — in most provinces you have 2 years to file.
- Don't bring a claim above the monetary limit — it will be dismissed or transferred to a higher court with higher costs.
- Don't ignore a claim filed against you — the court can issue a default judgment, meaning you automatically lose.
- Don't be rude or emotional in court — stick to the facts and let your evidence speak.
How British Columbia differs from federal law
BC has a unique two-tier system for resolving small civil disputes: the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) and BC Small Claims Court.
- The Civil Resolution Tribunal is Canada's first online dispute resolution tribunal. It handles claims up to $5,000 for debt, damages, and personal property, as well as strata (condo) disputes of any amount, motor vehicle accident injury claims up to $50,000, and certain societies and co-op disputes.
- BC Small Claims Court handles claims from $5,001 to $35,000. Procedures are less formal than Supreme Court, and you can represent yourself.
- For claims over $35,000, you must go to BC Supreme Court.
- The CRT process is mostly online — you can file, negotiate, and even have a hearing without going to a physical courthouse. Filing fees are lower than Small Claims Court (starting at $75 for CRT versus $156 for Small Claims).
- Both the CRT and Small Claims Court encourage settlement. The CRT includes a built-in negotiation and facilitation phase before a tribunal member makes a decision.
Additional Steps in British Columbia
For claims up to $5,000, start at the Civil Resolution Tribunal (civilresolutionbc.ca). For claims between $5,001 and $35,000, file in BC Small Claims Court at your nearest Provincial Court registry. You can represent yourself in both forums. Free legal information is available from People's Law School (peopleslawschool.ca) and the Justice Education Society.
Relevant Law: Civil Resolution Tribunal Act, SBC 2012, c. 25; Small Claims Act, RSBC 1996, c. 430; Small Claims Rules, BC Reg. 261/93
Common Questions
When does small claims court apply?
Civil disputes — unpaid invoices, property damage, breach of contract, consumer complaints, security deposit disputes.Your claim must be within the monetary limit for your province.
What should I do if someone in Canada owes me money and refuses to pay?
Determine the correct court and monetary limit for your province before filing.Gather your evidence — receipts, contracts, photos, emails, text messages.File your claim and pay the filing fee (usually under $200).Serve the other party according to the court's rules.Attend the hearing prepared — bring all your documents organized and ready to present.Bring witnesses who can support your version of events.
What mistakes should I avoid with small claims court?
Don't miss the limitation period — in most provinces you have 2 years to file.Don't bring a claim above the monetary limit — it will be dismissed or transferred to a higher court with higher costs.Don't ignore a claim filed against you — the court can issue a default judgment, meaning you automatically lose.Don't be rude or emotional in court — stick to the facts and let your evidence speak.
Small Claims Court in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.