CRT BC Claim Dismissed: What Happens and What You Can Do

Getting your CRT claim dismissed is frustrating, especially when you've spent weeks preparing the application. Understanding why claims get dismissed — and whether you have any options afterward — can save you time and, in some cases, a second filing.

Common Reasons for Dismissal

Wrong forum. The CRT only handles small claims of $5,000 and under. If your claim exceeds the limit, involves a residential tenancy dispute (those go to the Residential Tenancy Branch), concerns employment standards (Employment Standards Branch), or falls into family law or real property territory, the CRT lacks jurisdiction and will dismiss the claim. The Solution Explorer routes you to the right forum, but its classification isn't binding — a case manager or tribunal member can still determine the CRT lacks jurisdiction.

Failure to serve. You have 90 calendar days to serve the Dispute Notice on all respondents. If service isn't completed within that window and you haven't received a deadline extension, the CRT may dismiss the claim for failure to prosecute.

Limitation period expired. If the respondent raises the two-year limitation period as a defence and the CRT agrees that you filed too late, the claim is dismissed.

No reasonable cause of action. If the facts as stated don't add up to a legal claim — for example, you're suing someone who isn't the party responsible for the debt, or the amount isn't legally owed — the CRT may dismiss on the basis that no viable cause of action exists.

Applicant non-participation. If you stop responding to portal messages, miss case management deadlines, or fail to submit required documents, the CRT can dismiss your claim for inaction.

What Dismissal Means for Your Case

A CRT dismissal doesn't always bar you from pursuing the matter. It depends on why the claim was dismissed:

• Jurisdictional dismissal (wrong forum) — the dismissal does not decide the merits, so you can file in the correct forum. Check the limitation period and act promptly; don't assume time will keep stopping after the CRT closes the claim.
• Procedural dismissal (failed to serve, non-participation) — you may be able to refile at the CRT, provided you're still within the limitation period. You'll pay a new application fee.
• Dismissal on the merits (the tribunal member decided you don't have a viable claim after reviewing evidence) — this is a final binding decision. You can't refile the same claim. The only option is judicial review in the BC Supreme Court on narrow grounds such as patent unreasonableness, procedural unfairness, or a jurisdictional error.

How to Avoid Dismissal

Most dismissals are preventable:

• Check your forum first — use the Solution Explorer and confirm the CRT's jurisdiction before filing
• Name the correct legal entity — verify through BC Registries and Online Services that you're suing the right person or company
• Track your deadlines — 90 days for service, 10 days for proof of service, every case manager deadline after that
• Respond to every portal notification — even if it's a routine request, silence gets interpreted as abandonment

The BC CRT Small Claim Filing Guide covers each of these potential pitfalls with checklists and a deadline calendar, so a procedural misstep doesn't derail an otherwise solid claim.

See more British Columbia guides →