From June 1, 2017, small claims up to $5,000 falls under the jurisdiction of the CRT, and cannot be brought in the Provincial Court any more. In turn, the jurisdiction of the Provincial Court has been raised to deal with claims from $5,001 to $35,000. The upper limit being increased by $10,000 from $25,000.
Matters from $35,001 full under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
The Provincial Court has the authority to decide cases when people (or other legal entities such as companies or societies) sue one another between $5,000 and $35,000 in claims for, debt or damages, recovery of personal property or opposing claims to person property, and performance of agreements about personal property or services.
The Provincial Court does not have the power to grant remedies in cases involving:
- an interest in land
- personal property security
- bankruptcies
- trademarks
- wills and estates
- libel and slander
- malicious prosecution
- residential tenancy (though Residential Tenancy Branch orders may be enforced in Provincial Court)
- almost all builders’ lien matters, and
- lawsuits against the federal government.
Click the here to read more on the jurisdiction of the Civil Resolutions Tribunal.
Please note that the content of this Blog does not constitute legal advice. For more information contact Eric Mollema or make an appointment for a Free Initial Consultation.
