Difference between revisions of "Choosing the Proper Forum for Small Claims (20:IV)"

There are several options for resolving most civil disputes in British Columbia: Alternative Dispute Resolution, specialised tribunals, Small Claims Court, and the Supreme Court of British Columbia. On May 31, 2012, the ''Civil Resolution Tribunal Act'', SBC 2012, c 25 [CRTA] was given Royal Assent and may be proclaimed in force by regulation.   Once in force, the Civil Resolution Tribunal will become another option for  resolving civil disputes.  

Certain claims must be made through administrative tribunals instead of the courts. See, for example, [[Foreword on Employment Law (9:I) | Chapter 9: Employment Law]], [[Introduction to Workers%27 Compensation (7:I) | Chapter 7: Workers’   Compensation]], [[Introduction to Employment Insurance (8:I) | Chapter 8: Employment Insurance]], [[Introduction to Landlord and Tenant Law (19:I) | Chapter 19: Landlord and Tenant Law]], and [[Governing Legislation and Resources for Human Rights (6:I) | Chapter 6: Human Rights]].  

In order to bring a claim in British Columbia, the court or tribunal must have territorial jurisdiction. If either the subject matter of the  claim (e.g.,  the  contract  or  wrongful  act)  occurred  in  British  Columbia  or  the Defendant  resides  or  does  business  in  British  Columbia,  this  may  be  a  sufficient  connection  for  a  court  or tribunal to assert jurisdiction.  It is sometimes unclear whether British Columbia has a sufficient connection to the claim and is the most appropriate forum.  If the court’s jurisdiction is not clear, a claimant should obtain legal advice and review applicable case law16.