Civil Resolution Tribunal

The Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) is Canada’s first online tribunal. It has the exclusive jurisdiction to adjudicate any case with a monetary value under $5,000. The CRT also has jurisdiction to adjudicate certain strata property cases under the Strata Property Act, select motor vehicle accident disputes, and disputes under the Societies Act and Cooperative Association Act.

As an online tribunal, the CRT was designed for efficiency and expediency. For this reason, CRT claims are almost exclusively heard by written submissions with evidence provided through documentary records. What this means is that the CRT dispute process is highly procedural, formulaic, and bureaucratic, and having a familiarity and an understanding of this process can be advantageous for your claim.

We have experienced lawyers who can help you with your CRT small claims and strata disputes. Our lawyers’ CRT experience ranges from formerly working at the CRT to representing parties in a claim to assisting clients with case preparation and presentation.

Small Claims under $5,000

With the advent of the CRT, the BC Provincial Small Claims Court no longer has the power to hear any civil claims with a monetary value at or below $5,000. These claims must be heard with the CRT. Yet, if you do not agree with the CRT’s claims decision the legal avenues of appeal are narrower and more restrictive than it is with the Small Claims Court. For this reason, it is important to put your claim in properly in the first instance. With the assistance of one of our lawyers, we can help put your best foot forward with your dispute for a higher likelihood of success and to avoid an unnecessary and costly appeal.

Strata Property Claims

The CRT’s jurisdiction covers the vast majority of strata property issues that can affect you as the strata, an owner, or a tenant. The CRT can hear the following strata property matters:

• Interpretation of the Strata Property Act or a regulation, bylaw, or rule under the Act.
• A dispute over a strata’s common property or common assets (which is everything that is not owned by you).
• The use and enjoyment of your strata unit.
• Money owing arising from the strata relationship, including money owing for bylaw fines.
• A demand made by the strata corporation on an owner or tenant.
• A strata corporation decision affecting you.
• Your voting rights.

The above list means that the CRT can hear a wide range of strata disputes that can cover just about any communal or individual topic or issue arising from complex stratified living. When it comes to your home or your investment, it is imperative that your rights are not overlooked and your interests are protected. This is especially true with increasing urban density, the rising cost of living, the lack of affordable housing, or the scarcity of rental units. We have experienced lawyers who can help you with any CRT strata property claim, whether you are the strata, an owner or a tenant.

• Problems between your tenant or landlord? Visit our residential tenancy page