Difference between revisions of "I Need to Take Someone to Court — What's the Process?"

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== First steps ==
== First steps ==
#Decide whether you want to sue in Small Claims Court or BC Supreme Court. Ensure you are within the limitation period for doing so.
#Decide whether you want to sue in Small Claims Court or BC Supreme Court. Ensure you are within the limitation period for doing so.
{{Tipsbox
| width = 100%
| tips = '''Choosing the correct court'''
Should you file your lawsuit in Provincial (Small Claims) Court or Supreme Court? There are advantages and disadvantages to each. In some cases, choosing a court will be easy, in other cases the choice is less obvious. Here are some of the distinct features of each court:
'''Small Claims Court'''
* simple procedures meant to be accessible to the public,
* no lawyers required,
* less time to mediation and trial,
* judgments for damages limited to a maximum of $25,000,
* no jurisdiction to deal with a claim of defamation (libel or slander), and
* no awards for legal costs (this could be an incentive or a disincentive).
'''Supreme Court'''
* no limit on the possible award for damages,
* jurisdiction for all types of law suits,
* partial legal costs usually awarded to successful party (again, could be an incentive or a disincentive),
* many procedural steps, a lawyer is not necessary but is desirable, and
* timely and costly.
}}
#Complete a Small Claims Court [http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/forms/scl/scl001.pdf Notice of Claim] or Supreme Court [http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/forms/sup_civil/1.pdf Notice of Civil Claim]. Small Claims forms are available online from the [http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/small_claims/info/forms.htm Ministry of Justice website]. Supreme Court forms can be accessed through the "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/content/lawscases Laws, Cases & Rules]" page on Clicklaw; click on "BC Supreme Court Civil Forms". Include the important facts related to your claim.
#Complete a Small Claims Court [http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/forms/scl/scl001.pdf Notice of Claim] or Supreme Court [http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/forms/sup_civil/1.pdf Notice of Civil Claim]. Small Claims forms are available online from the [http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/small_claims/info/forms.htm Ministry of Justice website]. Supreme Court forms can be accessed through the "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/content/lawscases Laws, Cases & Rules]" page on Clicklaw; click on "BC Supreme Court Civil Forms". Include the important facts related to your claim.
#Take the documents to the appropriate court registry, file them (there is a fee) and have them stamped.
#Take the documents to the appropriate court registry, file them (there is a fee) and have them stamped.

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