PCBC To Adopt Innovative #A2J Changes to Small Claims Court on June 1, 2017

Our Provincial Court of BC has to be one of the most innovative courts in Canada. (Read McKenzie Friends, social media, the expansion of what judicial case managers' roles and court assignment system.)
On June 1, 2017, for claims up to $5000 (with a few exceptions), parties will be directed to resolve their claim using the online Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT), under the Small Claims Act. Our provincial court hopes to see a significant number of cases being resolved outside its courts using technology.
There are 3 attractive aspects to the CRT:
1. The on-line dispute resolution will be in 3 phases: negotiation, facilitation and adjudication. There is still a way to be heard by a judge.
2. Here are the areas of coverage:

• debt or damages
• recovery of personal property
• opposing claims to personal property
• demanding performance of an agreement about personal property or services.

3. For those who cannot use a computer, there is in-person assistance available; and for non-English speakers, there are translators.At the same time, the upper limit of civil cases heard in Provincial Court will increase to $35,000. Inflation aside, it is becoming more difficult to continue calling it Small Claims Court, don't you think?
Click here for your copy of the notice
We will be releasing these in July, please refer to your copy of the BC Civil Litigation Guide. As well, if you are interested in training in the fundamentals of civil litigation, write me.