Blog Details

The Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) is an online tribunal in British Columbia, Canada. It helps people resolve certain disputes quickly, affordably, and without needing to go to court. As Canada’s first online dispute resolution tribunal, it serves as a low-cost and accessible alternative to traditional legal proceedings.

What Can the Civil Resolution Tribunal Help With?

The CRT handles disputes in several areas:

Small Claims (up to $5,000)
This includes conflicts over money owed, damaged property, contracts, or services.

Strata Property Disputes
It covers issues related to condo/strata corporations, such as bylaw enforcement, common expenses, and repairs.

Motor Vehicle Injury (ICBC) Disputes
The CRT determines minor injury claims and entitlement to accident benefits.

Societies and Cooperative Disputes
It resolves issues involving non-profit societies and cooperative associations under BC law.

Disability and Financial Supports (coming soon)
The CRT will soon handle disputes related to government assistance programs.

How Does It Help?

Online Process
Since everything is done online, there is no need to go to court.

Affordable Resolution
CRT fees are much lower than traditional court fees, making legal solutions more accessible.

Self-Help Tools
The CRT provides online guides and negotiation tools to help people resolve disputes independently.

Binding Decisions
If parties cannot reach an agreement, the CRT issues legally enforceable decisions, just like a court judgment. These decisions can then be transferred to Provincial Small Claims Court for further enforcement.

Accessibility
The CRT is designed to be user-friendly, even for those with no legal experience. Additionally, assistance is available for individuals with disabilities or language barriers.

Flexibility
People can negotiate, mediate, and resolve disputes at their own convenience. Since the process is available 24/7, they can manage their cases according to their schedules.

By offering an efficient and affordable way to resolve disputes, the CRT provides an accessible alternative to traditional court proceedings.