Unpaid Invoice CRT BC: How to File a Small Claim for Money Owed

You did the work. You sent the invoice. The client has gone quiet. Maybe they are dodging your calls, maybe they are disputing the amount, or maybe they just stopped paying with no explanation. If you are a sole proprietor, freelancer, or small business owner in British Columbia and the amount owed is $5,000 or less, the Civil Resolution Tribunal is where you file.

Building Your Case Before Filing

Unpaid invoice claims hinge on proving three things: a contract existed, you performed the work, and the client did not pay. Start assembling your evidence before anything else.

The agreement. A signed contract is strongest, but CRT claims do not require one. Text messages, emails, quotes accepted in writing ("Sounds good, go ahead"), or purchase orders all demonstrate that both parties agreed on the work and the price.

Proof of performance. Work logs, timestamped progress photos, delivery receipts, completion certificates, or client sign-off messages. If the client approved milestones along the way — especially in writing — include those.

Financial records. The invoice itself, any partial payments received (credit these in your claim), bank statements showing the payments that did come in, and e-transfer confirmations.

Communications. Every text, email, or message where you followed up on payment. Include the client's responses (or lack of response). A thread showing repeated follow-ups with no payment strengthens the case.

Calculating Your Claim

If the total invoice is $4,000 and the client paid $1,500, your claim is $2,500. You must credit partial payments — claiming the full invoice when part has been paid will hurt your credibility with the Tribunal Member.

You can also claim pre-judgment interest. If your contract specifies an interest rate, that rate applies. If not, statutory interest under the Court Order Interest Act accrues at rates published by the BC government, adjusted every January 1 and July 1. Interest sits outside the $5,000 cap — it does not count against your principal claim.

The Demand Letter

Before filing, send a formal demand letter. State the services performed, the invoice amount, any payments received, the remaining balance, and a 10-to-14-day deadline to pay. End with a clear statement that you will file with the Civil Resolution Tribunal if the balance is not paid by the deadline.

Keep it professional. Threatening language, accusations of fraud, or personal attacks undermine your credibility at every stage from negotiation through adjudication.

Finding the Right Name to Sue

If your client is a person, you need their full legal name. If they are a business, search BC Registries through the Service BC Connect portal to find the registered entity:

• Sole proprietor: "Jane Doe d.b.a. [business name]" — you sue the individual
• Corporation: the full legal corporate name from BC Registries (e.g., "1234567 B.C. Ltd.")
• Partnership: identify the registered partnership and its partners before filing. CRT service rules allow service on a partner or at the partnership's place of business; get legal advice if you are unsure which parties to name.

An invoice addressed to "Joe's Design Studio" is not enough. If Joe is an individual operating under that trade name, your claim names the individual. If it is a corporation, you name the corporation.

Filing and Beyond

File through the CRT Solution Explorer (civilresolutionbc.ca). The application fee is $75 for claims up to $3,000, $125 for $3,001–$5,000. Serve the Dispute Notice within 90 days and file Proof of Service within 10 days of completing service.

Many unpaid invoice claims settle during the CRT's negotiation or facilitation stages. The client sees the formal Dispute Notice, realizes you are serious, and agrees to a payment arrangement. If the case goes to adjudication, the Tribunal Member reviews the evidence and issues a binding written decision.

If the client does not respond at all, apply for a default decision ($25 online). Non-responsive clients are common in invoice claims — the same person who stopped answering your payment reminders often ignores the CRT too.

Enforcement

A CRT decision does not automatically transfer money. The CRT includes a validated order with a final decision. If the client still does not pay after losing, file that order in Provincial Court and use enforcement tools: garnishing orders against their bank account or employer, a payment hearing to examine their assets under oath, or seizure and sale of their property. A separately requested validation of a CRT document costs $30.

The BC CRT Small Claim Step-by-Step Guide walks through unpaid invoice claims from the demand letter through enforcement, with a calculation sheet for principal plus interest and a service tracking log.

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