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{{Consumer Law | {{Law-Related ESL Badge | ||
|lessonname= Consumer Law Lesson Module}} | |||
Suppose you loaned someone an amount of money. They promised to pay the debt within three months. But they did not pay the debt. | Suppose you loaned someone an amount of money. They promised to pay the debt within three months. But they did not pay the debt. | ||
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==How do I write a demand letter?== | ==How do I write a demand letter?== | ||
You can write a ''demand letter'', which is a letter that says how much the person owes you and tells them they must pay you. For example, a demand letter about a loan can say something like this: | You can write a ''demand letter'', which is a letter that says how much the person owes you and tells them they must pay you. For example, a demand letter about a loan can say something like this: | ||
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You can write a demand letter yourself or you can ask a lawyer to write it for you. A demand letter sent on the lawyer’s letterhead is often very effective. If a demand letter does not work, you may need to go to court. | You can write a demand letter yourself or you can ask a lawyer to write it for you. A demand letter sent on the lawyer’s letterhead is often very effective. If a demand letter does not work, you may need to go to court. | ||
==When do I go to court?== | |||
In small claims court, people can settle their differences in cases worth anywhere up to $35,000. Small claims court has less formal and less complicated rules and procedures than Supreme Court. For example, the forms you use in small claims court are the “fill-in-the-blank” type. | |||
If your claim is for under $5,000, it will go before an online "tribunal" called the [https://civilresolutionbc.ca Civil Resolution Tribunal]. A tribunal is a form of court that helps people resolve their disputes quickly and affordably. The CRT encourages a collaborative approach to resolving disputes. | |||
There are small claims courts located [https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1014 throughout the province]. Learn what's involved in [https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1101 taking someone to small claims court]. | |||
To collect more than $35,000, you have to go to BC’s Supreme Court. This is more complicated and expensive than small claims court. To find out how to make a claim in Supreme Court, go to [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca www.clicklaw.bc.ca] and type "Supreme Court" in the search box. Some British Columbia communities have a [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1111 Justice Access Centre] where staff can give you information about bringing a claim in Supreme Court. | |||
[[File:ConsumerLawGuidePage8.jpg | right| frame | link=| <span style="font-size:60%;">Copyright www.shutterstock.com</span>]] | |||
==Getting legal help from a lawyer== | ==Getting legal help from a lawyer== | ||
If you want to go to court, it would be a good idea to talk to a lawyer. Here are two places to <span class="noglossary">contact</span> for help: | If you want to go to court, it would be a good idea to talk to a lawyer. Here are two places to <span class="noglossary">contact</span> for help: | ||
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''Do not wait'' until the day before trial before you start asking a lawyer about what to do in court. There are limits on the time you have to collect the debt through the court. | ''Do not wait'' until the day before trial before you start asking a lawyer about what to do in court. There are limits on the time you have to collect the debt through the court. | ||
[[File:ConsumerLawGuidePage9.jpg | left| frame | link=| <span style="font-size:60%;">Copyright www.shutterstock.com</span>]] | |||
===How should I prepare for meeting with a lawyer?=== | ===How should I prepare for meeting with a lawyer?=== | ||
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To find out more about debt collection law within BC, visit [http://www.debtrightsbc.ca Consumer Protection BC]. | To find out more about debt collection law within BC, visit [http://www.debtrightsbc.ca Consumer Protection BC]. | ||
{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[People's Law School]], 2018}} | |||
{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[People's Law School]], | |||
{{Creative Commons for PLS | {{Creative Commons for PLS | ||
|title = | |title = Someone Owes You Money | ||
|author = | |author = | ||
}} | }} | ||