Civil Resolution Tribunal Fees: Complete Cost Breakdown for BC Small Claims
The CRT charges fees at specific stages of a small claim, not one lump sum up front. Knowing exactly when each fee hits — and which ones you can get back — helps you budget before filing.
Application Fees
Your first cost is the application fee, which depends on how much you are claiming and whether you file online or on paper:
| Claim Amount | Online Fee | Paper/Mail/Email Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $3,000 | $75 | $100 |
| $3,001–$5,000 | $125 | $150 |
The online discount depends on the fee: applications cost $25 less online, a Dispute Response is free online instead of $25 by email or mail, and a Default Order costs $5 less online. Several other fees are the same either way.
Fees During the Process
After the application, additional fees arise depending on how the dispute progresses:
| Stage | Online Fee | Paper Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Dispute Response (respondent) | Free ($0) | $25 |
| Counterclaim up to $3,000 | $75 | $100 |
| Counterclaim $3,001–$5,000 | $125 | $150 |
| Default Order application | $25 | $30 |
| Consent Resolution Order | $25 | $25 |
| Final adjudication (small claims) | $50 | $50 |
| Cancel a Default Order | $50 | $50 |
The adjudication fee ($50) is charged when the dispute is assigned to a Tribunal Member for a final decision. If the case settles during negotiation or facilitation, you do not pay it.
After the Decision
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Separate validation of a CRT document | $30 (the $50 final-decision fee includes a validated order) |
| Claim records request (participant) | $10 (+$1/page for mailed copies) |
| Claim records request (non-participant) | $25 (+$1/page for mailed copies) |
| Dishonoured payment | $30 |
You need a validated order to enforce it in court. The CRT includes a validated order with a final decision; a separately requested validation of a CRT document costs $30.
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Total Cost: Best and Worst Case
Best case — your $2,500 claim settles before tribunal decision preparation and qualifies for a refund: $75 application fee, refunded under the CRT's fee policy. Net cost: $0.
Typical case — your $4,000 claim goes through facilitation and adjudication, the respondent pays voluntarily: $125 application + $50 adjudication = $175.
Full enforcement case — same claim, respondent ignores the decision: $125 + $50 = $175, plus Provincial Court enforcement costs (garnishing order, payment hearing fees). The $50 final-decision fee includes the validated order.
Getting Your Fees Back
If you win, the Tribunal Member can order the respondent to reimburse your CRT fees as part of the decision. This typically includes the application fee, default order fee, adjudication fee, and verified service costs (registered mail, process server, registry search fees). Legal fees (attorney billing rates) are not recoverable in standard CRT small claims, even if you retained a lawyer.
For eligible small-claims files, the CRT may refund the application fee if all participants agree to settle before tribunal decision preparation.
Fee Waivers
Low-income individuals can request a fee waiver when applying. The waiver application evaluates gross household income, monthly necessary expenses, and real estate assets. Only natural persons qualify — corporations, partnerships, societies, and strata corporations are not eligible. You are limited to three fee waivers in a 12-month period unless extraordinary circumstances apply.
The BC CRT Small Claim Step-by-Step Guide includes a fee planner that maps every cost to the stage where it hits, so there are no surprises after you file.
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