CRT BC Evidence and Hearing Preparation: What to Expect at Adjudication

You've filed your CRT claim, served the Dispute Notice, and the respondent has replied. Now comes the part that keeps most self-represented claimants up at night: the hearing. The good news is that a CRT small claims "hearing" looks nothing like a courtroom trial — it's almost entirely written, and you'll do most of the work from your kitchen table.

How CRT Adjudication Works

The Civil Resolution Tribunal handles small claims through written submissions, not oral hearings. After the negotiation and facilitation stages close without a settlement, the CRT assigns a tribunal member to review the file and issue a binding decision.

Both parties submit their evidence and written arguments through the online portal. The tribunal member reads everything, weighs the evidence, and issues a written decision. There's no courtroom, no witness stand, and no cross-examination in the traditional sense. In rare cases involving credibility disputes, the tribunal member may order a telephone or video conference, but the default is asynchronous written proceedings.

Organizing Your Evidence

Unorganized evidence is one of the fastest ways to weaken a strong claim. Tribunal members review dozens of files — a clear, chronological evidence package makes your case easier to follow and harder to dismiss.

Group your documents into categories:

• Contracts and agreements — the written contract, purchase order, accepted quote, terms of service, or text messages confirming the deal
• Proof of performance or delivery — receipts, photos of completed work, delivery confirmations, or work logs
• Financial records — invoices, bank statements, e-transfer confirmations, cancelled cheques, or payment receipts
• Communications — emails, text messages, social media messages, or voicemail transcripts showing the dispute timeline
• Damage quantification — repair quotes, replacement receipts, expert reports, or independent valuations

Within each category, arrange documents in chronological order. Label each exhibit clearly (Exhibit A-1, A-2, etc.) so you can reference them in your written argument.

Writing Your Submissions

Your written submission is your chance to tell the tribunal member what happened and why the evidence supports your claim. Keep it structured:

1. State the facts chronologically — who did what, when, and what was agreed
2. Reference specific exhibits — "As shown in Exhibit B-3, the respondent acknowledged the debt in a text message dated March 15, 2026"
3. State the remedy you're seeking — the exact dollar amount, broken down by principal, expenses, and any pre-judgment interest
4. Credit partial payments — if the respondent paid part of the debt, deduct it explicitly

Avoid emotional language, personal attacks, or arguments about the respondent's character. Stick to facts and documents.

The Decision

The tribunal member issues a written decision that addresses the evidence and legal issues. CRT decisions are binding — they carry the same force as a court order. Since July 2022, there is no Notice of Objection process; to challenge a contested final decision, the route is judicial review in the BC Supreme Court.

The tribunal member may also order the unsuccessful party to reimburse the successful party's CRT fees (application fee, adjudication fee) and verified service costs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting unorganized photo dumps — label and crop images so the tribunal member can see what matters
• Missing the evidence deadline — the case manager sets submission windows; late evidence may be excluded
• Repeating the same point — state each fact once, support it with an exhibit, and move on
• Failing to respond to the other side's evidence — if the respondent submits something inaccurate, address it in your reply submission

If you want a printable evidence checklist, exhibit index template, and deadline calendar for every stage of the CRT process, the BC CRT Small Claim Filing Guide includes all three as fillable worksheets.

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