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{{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= July 31, 2024}}
{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = smallclaims}}
{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = smallclaims}}


A claim is governed by the (old) ''Limitation Act'', RSBC 1996, c 266 [''Old Limitation Act''] if discovery occurred before June 1,  2013329.   The  definition  of  discovery  is  given  in  the  (new) ''Limitation  Act''  and  may  be  found  in  the  corresponding section of this Appendix.  Under the (old) ''Limitation Act'', the limitation period depends on the type of claim and who the other party is.  A claim may consist of several causes of action and each cause of action may have a separate/different limitation period. 
== 1. Small Claims ==


The (new) ''Limitation Act'', SBC 2012, c 13 [''Limitation Act''] came into effect on June 1, 2013.  A claim is governed by this Act if the claim was discovered after this date, unless the facts underlying the claim arose before the effective date and the limitation period under the old ''Limitation Act'', RSBC 1996, c 266 [''Old Limitation Act''] has expired330.  
The ''Limitation Act'', SBC 2012, c 13 [Limitation Act] came into effect on June 1, 2013.  A claim is governed by this Act if the claim was discovered after this date, unless the facts underlying the claim arose before the effective date and the limitation period under the old ''Limitation Act'', RSBC 1996, c 266 has expired (s 30(3-4).  


The Notice of Claim must be '''filed''' before the limitation period expires.  If a notice of claim has not been '''served''' within 12 months after it was filed, it expires, but the claimant may apply to have it renewed331. 
Under the ''Limitation Act'', the basic limitation period for most causes of action is 2 years from the date of '''discovery''' of the claim.  Discovery is defined as the day on which the claimant knew or reasonably ought to have known ''all'' of the following:


=== 1. Old Limitation Act ===
:(a) that injury, loss or damage had occurred;<BR>
:(b) that the injury, loss or damage was caused by or contributed to by an act or omission;<BR>
:(c) that the act or omission was that of the person against whom the claim is or may be made;<BR>
:(d) that, having regard to the nature of the injury, loss or damage, a court proceeding would be an appropriate means to seek to remedy the injury, loss or damage (''Limitation Act'', s 8).


Generally,  time  limitations begin  to  run  from  the  date  of  the  breach  (when  all  of  the  elements  of  the  cause  of  action came  into  existence).    This  Act  does  NOT  apply  to  actions  listed  under  s  3(4),  including  actions  for  sexual  assault  or misconduct.  Time limits for the more common causes of action are:  
Other limitations include:
*Default limitation period: 6 years (s 3(5));
*Breach of contract: 6 years (insurance: one year); generally notice period required (note: see bullet point immediately below);
*Damages  for  the  injury  of  person  or  property  (including  economic  loss  arising  from  the  injury), '''whether based on contract, tort, or statutory duty''': 2 years (''Limitation Act'', s 3(2)(a));
*Debt: six years (from the date of the last acknowledgment of the debt, with some exceptions); 
*Enforcement of local judgement for money or return of personal property: 10 years (s 3(3)(f)); 
*Ultimate limitation period: 30 years after all elements of a given cause of action are complete (after all damages have occurred).  Applies to all claims falling under the (old) ''Limitation Act'' except for exceptions under s 8(1);
*Special ultimate limitation period for hospitals, hospital employees and doctors: 6 years (s 8(1)).


In most cases, the action lapses when the time limit expires. In some circumstances, s 6 of the ''Limitation Act'' allows for the  running  of  the  basic limitation  period,  but  NOT  the ultimate  limitation  date,  to  be  postponed.  Notably,  this  is  the case  for  actions  for  personal  injury,  damage  to  property,  professional  negligence,  and  any  action  based  on  fraud  ordeceit.  In  these  circumstances  the  running  of  time  does  not  begin  until  such  time  as  the  identity  of  the  defendant  is known to the plaintiff, and a reasonable person, making normal and appropriate inquiries would have discovered a cause of action to exist332.  The limitation period is renewed (up to the 30 year ultimate limitation period) if the cause of action is  confirmed  (s 5) by  the defendant’ s acknowledgement  or part  payment  of  the amount  claimed  before  the original limitation period expires.
* enforcement of civil judgements (s 7): 10 years from date of judgement;
* debts owed to government (s 38): 6 years;
* maximum limitation period (s 21(1)): 15 years after the original act or omission giving rise to the claim occurs. Applies to all claims falling under the (new) ''Limitation Act''.


'''NOTE:'''              Where an action has already been commenced, the court has the discretion to allow a third party  to  be added  even  if  the  limitation  period  for a  claim against  that  third  party  has expired.    See ''Teal  Cedar  Products(1977) Ltd.  v Dale  Intermediaries  Ltd.''  (1996), 19  B.C.L.R.  (3d) 282  (C.A.) and ''Wadsworth  v Macleod'' (2004),  B.C.S.C., 1824  for  a  discussion.  The  court  will consider factors such as: the extent of the delay, the reason for the delay, any explanation put forward to account for the delay, the degree of prejudice caused by the delay, and the extent of the connection, if any, between the claims and the proposed new cause of action.
Under the ''Limitation Act'', the running of both the basic and ultimate limitation periods may be delayed for minors (s 18), persons while under disability (ss 19, 25), and for fraud or wilful concealment of facts on the part of the defendant (ss 12, 21(3)).  Both the basic 2 year limitation period and the 15 year ultimate limitation period are renewed if the defendant gives written and signed acknowledgement of liability (s 24).  A counterclaim may be brought even though the limitation period has expired if the counterclaim relates to the claim to which it responds and that claim is within its applicable limitation periods (s 22).  The Act generally does not apply to sexual assault claims, child or spousal support claims, or fines under the Offence Act (s 3).  The Act also does not apply to limitation periods established under other legislation.


=== 2. New Limitation Act ===
The Notice of Claim must be '''filed''' before the limitation period expires. If a notice of claim has not been '''served''' within 12 months after it was filed, it expires, but the claimant may apply to have it renewed (''SCR'', Rules 16(2)(a), 16(2)(a.1) and 16(3)).


Under the new ''Limitation Act'', the basic limitation period for most causes of action is 2 years from the date of '''discovery''' of the claim.  Discovery is defined as the day on which the claimant knew or reasonably ought to have known all of the following:
== 2. Civil Resolution Tribunal ==
*a) That injury, loss or damage had occurred;
*b) That  the  injury,  loss  or  damage  was  caused  by  or  contributed  to  by  an  act  or omission;
*c) That the act or omission was that of the person against whom the claim is or may be made;
*d) That, having regard to the nature of the injury, loss or damage, a court proceeding would be an appropriate means to seek to remedy the injury, loss or damage333.  


Other limitations include:
The ''Limitation Act'' applies to the CRT; however, for claims brought under the CRT, the limitation period does not run after a party asks the tribunal to resolve a claim.  A party has 28 days following the tribunal’s decision, the date on the court order, or the date the tribunal certifies that the parties have completed the tribunal’s process to bring or continue a claim in court.  
*Enforcement of civil judgements (s 7): 10 years from date of judgement;
*Debts owed to government (s 38): 6 years;  
*Maximum  limitation period (s 21(1)):  15 years  after the original  act  or  omission giving  rise  to the claim occurs.  Applies to all claims falling under the (new) ''Limitation Act''.  


Under the (new) ''Limitation Act'', the running of both the basic and ultimate limitation periods may be delayed for minors (s  18), persons  while  under  disability  (ss  19,  25), and for  fraud  or  wilful  concealment  of  facts  on  the part  of  the defendant (ss 12, 21(3)). Both the basic 2 year limitation period and the 15 year ultimate limitation period are renewed if the defendant gives written and signed acknowledgement of liability (s 24). A counterclaim may be brought even though the limitation period has expired if the counterclaim relates to the claim to which it responds and that claim is within its applicable limitation periods (S 22).  The Act generally does not apply to sexual assault claims, child or spousal support claims, or  fines  under  the ''Offence  Act''  (s  3).   The Act  also  does  not  apply  to  limitation  periods  established under  other legislation.
== 3. Other Legislation ==
Certain Acts will overrule the ''Limitation Act''. The'' Vancouver Charter'', SBC 1953, c 55; the Police Act, RSBC 1996, c 367; and the ''RCMP Act'', RS 1985, c. R-10, all have their own limitation periods and notice provisions, and must therefore be consulted before bringing an action against a party covered by one of these statutes. For limitation dates pertaining to employment, human rights complaints or residential/tenancy disputes, see the corresponding chapters of this manual.   


=== 3. Other Legislation ===
The ''Local Government Act'', RSBC 1996, c 323, sets a limitation date for claims against a municipality in BC (s 285) of 6 months after the cause of action arose.  Notice of damages must be delivered to the municipality within 2 months from the date on which the damage was sustained unless the damage resulted in death, the claimant has a reasonable excuse, or the municipality is not unfairly prejudiced by the lack of notice (s 286(1-3)).


Certain  Acts will  overrule  the ''Limitation Act''.  The ''Vancouver  Charter'',  S.BC1953, c 55;  the ''Police  Act'',  R.S.BC1996,  c  367; and the ''RCMP Act'', RS 1985, c. R-10, all have their own limitation periods and notice provisions, and must therefore be consulted  before  bringing  an  action  against  a  party covered  by  one  of  these  statutes. For  limitation  dates  pertaining  to employment, human rights complaints or residential/tenancy disputes, see the corresponding chapters of this manual.
The ''Local  Government  Act'',  RSBC  1996,  c  323,  sets  a  limitation  date  for  claims  against  a  municipality in BC (s  285)  of  6 months after the cause of action arose.  Notice of damages must be delivered to the municipality within 2 months from the date on which the damage was sustained unless the damage resulted in death, the claimant has a reasonable excuse, or the municipality is not unfairly prejudiced by the lack of notice (s 286(1-3)).


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!  
!  
! Old Limitation Act:
! Limitation Act:
! New Limitation Act:
|-
|-
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Application:
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Application:
| Applies if discovery occurred before June 1, 2013
| Applies if discovery occurred after June 1, 2013
| Applies if discovery occurred after June 1, 2013
|-
|-
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Basic Limitation Period:
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Basic Limitation Period:
| 6 years after events occurred*
| 2 years after discovery*
| 2 years after discovery**
|-
|-
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Damages to Personal Injury or Property:
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Damages to Personal Injury or Property:
| 2 years after events occurred
| 2 years after discovery
| 2 years after discovery
|-
|-
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Debts owed to government:
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Debts owed to government:
| 6 years after events occurred
| 6 years, including ICBC claims for vehicle indebtedness, student loans and medical fees
| 6 years, including ICBC claims for vehicle indebtedness, student loans and medical fees
|-
|-
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Counterclaims:
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Counterclaims:
| Not barred by expiry of limitation period if counterclaim connected to the claim to which it responds and the limitation period for that claim has not expired.
| Not barred by expiry of limitation period if counterclaim connected to the claim to which it responds and the limitation period for that claim has not expired.
| Not barred by expiry of limitation period if counterclaim connected to the claim to which it responds and the limitation period for that claim has not expired.
|-
|-
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Ultimate Limitation Period:
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Ultimate Limitation Period:
| 30 years after all damages occurred 6 years for negligence/malpractice actions against medical practitioners & hospitals
| 15 years after original events occurred
| 15 years after original events occurred
|-
|-
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Enforcement of Judgements:
| style="font-weight: bold;" | Enforcement of Judgements:
| 10 years after judgement
| 10 years after judgment
| 10 years after judgement
|}
|}


<small>*See Limitation Act, RSBC 1996 c 266 for exceptions</small>
<small>*See Limitation Act, SBC 2012 c 13 for exceptions</small>
 


<small>**See Limitation Act, SBC 2012 c 13 for exceptions</small>
{{LSLAP Manual Navbox|type=chapters15-23}}

Latest revision as of 17:55, 7 August 2024

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by the Law Students' Legal Advice Program on July 31, 2024.
LSLAP Manual
LSLAP Manual
This page is from the
Law Students' Legal
Advice Program Manual.
See the full contents.
LSLAP Manual
Introduction
Chapters
20. Small Claims and the CRT
 · I. Introduction

 · II. Governing Legislation & Resources
 · III. Do You Have a Claim?
 · IV. Choosing the Proper Forum
 · V. Starting a Claim
 · VI. Responding to a Claim
 · VII. Default Order
 · VIII. How a Claim Proceeds
 · IX. Pre-Trial Applications
 · X. Mediation
 · XI. Settlement Conferences
 · XII. Trial & Pre-Trial Conferences
 · XIII. Trial Preparation
 · XIV. Trials
 · XV. Costs and Penalties
 · XVI. Appeals
 · XVII. Enforcement of a Judgement
 · XVIII. LSLAP Program Information
 · Appendix A: Registries
 · Appendix B: Demand Letter
 · Appendix C: Notice of Claim
 · Appendix D: Reply to Claim
 · Appendix E: Glossary
 · Appendix F: Limitation Periods
 · Appendix G: Causes of Action
 · Appendix H: Court Fees
 · Appendix I: Tribunal Fees
 · Appendix J: Settlement Conference
 · Appendix K: Payment Hearing

 · Appendix L: Appeal
v • d • e



1. Small Claims

The Limitation Act, SBC 2012, c 13 [Limitation Act] came into effect on June 1, 2013. A claim is governed by this Act if the claim was discovered after this date, unless the facts underlying the claim arose before the effective date and the limitation period under the old Limitation Act, RSBC 1996, c 266 has expired (s 30(3-4).

Under the Limitation Act, the basic limitation period for most causes of action is 2 years from the date of discovery of the claim. Discovery is defined as the day on which the claimant knew or reasonably ought to have known all of the following:

(a) that injury, loss or damage had occurred;
(b) that the injury, loss or damage was caused by or contributed to by an act or omission;
(c) that the act or omission was that of the person against whom the claim is or may be made;
(d) that, having regard to the nature of the injury, loss or damage, a court proceeding would be an appropriate means to seek to remedy the injury, loss or damage (Limitation Act, s 8).

Other limitations include:

  • enforcement of civil judgements (s 7): 10 years from date of judgement;
  • debts owed to government (s 38): 6 years;
  • maximum limitation period (s 21(1)): 15 years after the original act or omission giving rise to the claim occurs. Applies to all claims falling under the (new) Limitation Act.

Under the Limitation Act, the running of both the basic and ultimate limitation periods may be delayed for minors (s 18), persons while under disability (ss 19, 25), and for fraud or wilful concealment of facts on the part of the defendant (ss 12, 21(3)). Both the basic 2 year limitation period and the 15 year ultimate limitation period are renewed if the defendant gives written and signed acknowledgement of liability (s 24). A counterclaim may be brought even though the limitation period has expired if the counterclaim relates to the claim to which it responds and that claim is within its applicable limitation periods (s 22). The Act generally does not apply to sexual assault claims, child or spousal support claims, or fines under the Offence Act (s 3). The Act also does not apply to limitation periods established under other legislation.

The Notice of Claim must be filed before the limitation period expires. If a notice of claim has not been served within 12 months after it was filed, it expires, but the claimant may apply to have it renewed (SCR, Rules 16(2)(a), 16(2)(a.1) and 16(3)).

2. Civil Resolution Tribunal

The Limitation Act applies to the CRT; however, for claims brought under the CRT, the limitation period does not run after a party asks the tribunal to resolve a claim. A party has 28 days following the tribunal’s decision, the date on the court order, or the date the tribunal certifies that the parties have completed the tribunal’s process to bring or continue a claim in court.

3. Other Legislation

Certain Acts will overrule the Limitation Act. The Vancouver Charter, SBC 1953, c 55; the Police Act, RSBC 1996, c 367; and the RCMP Act, RS 1985, c. R-10, all have their own limitation periods and notice provisions, and must therefore be consulted before bringing an action against a party covered by one of these statutes. For limitation dates pertaining to employment, human rights complaints or residential/tenancy disputes, see the corresponding chapters of this manual.

The Local Government Act, RSBC 1996, c 323, sets a limitation date for claims against a municipality in BC (s 285) of 6 months after the cause of action arose. Notice of damages must be delivered to the municipality within 2 months from the date on which the damage was sustained unless the damage resulted in death, the claimant has a reasonable excuse, or the municipality is not unfairly prejudiced by the lack of notice (s 286(1-3)).


Limitation Act:
Application: Applies if discovery occurred after June 1, 2013
Basic Limitation Period: 2 years after discovery*
Damages to Personal Injury or Property: 2 years after discovery
Debts owed to government: 6 years, including ICBC claims for vehicle indebtedness, student loans and medical fees
Counterclaims: Not barred by expiry of limitation period if counterclaim connected to the claim to which it responds and the limitation period for that claim has not expired.
Ultimate Limitation Period: 15 years after original events occurred
Enforcement of Judgements: 10 years after judgment

*See Limitation Act, SBC 2012 c 13 for exceptions


v • d • e
 
Introduction
 
Chapters 1-7
Criminal Law  · Youth Justice  · Family Law  · Victims  · Public Complaints · Human Rights  · Workers Compensation
Chapter One:
Criminal Law
Chapter Two:
Youth Justice
Chapter Three:
Family Law
Chapter Four:
Victims
Chapter Five:
Public Complaints
Chapter Six:
Human Rights
Chapter Seven:
Workers' Compensation
I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation, Policy & Guidelines · III. Introduction to Compensation Claims for Injured Workers · IV. LSLAP's Role at the Initial Decision Level · V. Limitation Periods and Timing of Decisions · VI. Making a Claim · VII. The Claim Acceptance Process · VIII. Worker Status · IX. Disability and Causation · X. Time Limits and Procedures · XI. Claim Benefits · XII. Appeals · XIII. Health and Safety Regulations · XIV. Assessments of Employers · XV. The WCB Fair Practices Office · Appendix A: Abbreviations · Appendix B: List of Cases · Appendix C: Referrals · Appendix D: Resources · Appendix E: Small Claims Flow Chart · Appendix F: Checklist for Interviews · Appendix G: Checklist for Appeals · Appendix H: Sample Authorization Form
 
Chapters 8-14
Employment Insurance  · Employment Law  · Creditors and Debtors  · Consumer Protection  · Auto Insurance (ICBC)  · Motor Vehicle Law  · Mental Health Law
Chapter Eight:
Employment Insurance
Chapter Nine:
Employment Law
Chapter Ten:
Creditors' Remedies and Debtors' Assistance
Chapter Eleven:
Consumer Protection
Chapter Twelve:
Auto Insurance (ICBC)
Chapter Thirteen:
Motor Vehicle Law
Chapter Fourteen:
Mental Health Law
 
Chapters 15-23
Adult Guardianship and Substitute Decision-Making · Wills and Estates  · Citizenship  · Immigration  · Landlord and Tenant Rights  · Small Claims  · Welfare Law  · Strata Law  · Referrals
Chapter Fifteen:
Adult Guardianship and Substitute Decision-Making
Chapter Sixteen:
Wills and Estate Administration
Chapter Seventeen:
Citizenship
Chapter Eighteen:
Immigration Law
Chapter Nineteen:
Landlord and Tenant Law
Chapter Twenty:
Small Claims and the CRT
I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Do You Have a Claim? · IV. Choosing the Proper Forum · V. Starting a Claim · VI. Responding to a Claim · VII. Default Order · VIII. How a Claim Proceeds · IX. Pre-Trial Applications · X. Mediation · XI. Settlement Conferences · XII. Trial/Pre-Trial Conferences · XIII. Trial Preparation · XIV. Trials · XV. Costs and Penalties · XVI. Appeals · XVII. Enforcement of a Judgement · XVIII. LSLAP Program Information · Appendix A: Registries · Appendix B: Demand Letter · Appendix C: Notice of Claim · Appendix D: Reply to Claim · Appendix E: Glossary · Appendix F: Limitation Periods · Appendix G: Causes of Action · Appendix H: Court Fees · Appendix I: Tribunal Fees · Appendix J: Settlement Conference · Appendix K: Payment Hearing · Appendix L: Appeal
Chapter Twenty One:
Welfare Law
Chapter Twenty Two:
Strata Law
Chapter Twenty Three:
Referrals
© Copyright 2024, The Greater Vancouver Law Students' Legal Advice Society.


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