CRT Settlement and Consent Orders in BC

Most CRT disputes never reach adjudication. The Civil Resolution Tribunal's process is designed to push both sides toward resolution during the negotiation and facilitation stages, and a significant number of cases settle before a CRT member ever reviews the evidence. If you are a respondent, understanding how settlement works — and how to make an agreement stick — is worth your time.

The Two Settlement Stages

After you file your Dispute Response, the CRT moves your case through two stages before adjudication:

Negotiation. You and the applicant exchange messages through the CRT's secure portal. There is no mediator or case manager involved at this point — it is a direct conversation. The messages are confidential between the parties and are not shared with the CRT member who would decide the case if it goes to adjudication.

This confidentiality matters. You can make offers during negotiation without worrying that admitting "I could pay $2,000 to resolve this" will be used against you later if the case proceeds.

Facilitation. If negotiation does not resolve the dispute, a CRT case manager steps in. The case manager helps both sides identify common ground, test the strength of their positions, and explore settlement options. The case manager does not decide the outcome — they facilitate agreement.

What a Consent Order Looks Like

If a settlement is reached during facilitation, the case manager drafts a consent order. A consent order is a formal CRT decision that records the terms both parties agreed to. It is legally binding and enforceable in court.

The consent order typically sets out:

• The amount to be paid (or the action to be taken)
• The payment schedule, if the amount is being paid in instalments
• Any other terms the parties agreed to (returning property, completing work, etc.)
• A deadline for compliance

Why a Consent Order Beats a Handshake

A verbal agreement or an email exchange is not the same as a CRT consent order. If the other side agrees to pay you $3,000 in three monthly instalments and then stops after the first payment, only a formal CRT order can be filed in Provincial Court as a CRT order for enforcement.

A consent order, on the other hand, can be registered in Provincial Court and enforced through garnishing orders, seizure of assets, or payment hearings — the same tools available for any CRT decision.

Negotiating as a Respondent

Respondents sometimes hesitate to engage in negotiation because they worry it signals weakness. It does not. The CRT expects both parties to participate in good faith, and a respondent who proposes a reasonable settlement demonstrates organization and practicality.

Some practical points:

• Know your number. Before you start negotiating, figure out the maximum you would accept paying (or the minimum the applicant would need to drop their claim to) that avoids the time, stress, and risk of adjudication.
• Factor in costs. Check which filing fees can be claimed under the CRT rules before counting on reimbursement. A settlement can state how the parties will handle costs.
• Put it in writing through the portal. Keep your settlement discussions in the CRT messaging system. If there is a dispute later about what was agreed, the portal messages are on record.

When Settlement Does Not Work

If negotiation and facilitation fail, the case moves to adjudication. A CRT member reviews written submissions and evidence from both sides and issues a binding decision. There is no penalty for failing to settle — the CRT recognizes that not every dispute can be resolved by agreement.

However, a party who ignores messages or misses evidence deadlines risks missing the chance to have their information considered. The case manager sets evidence exchange deadlines, and late materials may be excluded from adjudication.

For a structured approach to the negotiation and settlement stages, the BC CRT Dispute Response Guide includes worksheets for calculating your settlement range and tracking offers through the CRT portal.

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