Do I need a demand letter before filing at the CRT or BC Small Claims?

Not legally required, but the Civil Resolution Tribunal's negotiation phase effectively makes a demand letter the starting move. BC Small Claims judges expect the plaintiff to have made a genuine effort to resolve the dispute first. A demand letter is the standard way to show that effort and is often enough to trigger payment before filing.

What dispute amount goes where in BC?

Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) handles claims up to $5,000, strata property disputes, small motor vehicle accident claims, and societies/co-ops. BC Provincial Court – Small Claims Division handles $5,001 to $35,000. BC Supreme Court handles claims over $35,000, with associated higher filing fees and procedural complexity.

How long should I give the other party to respond?

Typical BC demand letters give 14 days. Under $1,000, 7 days is reasonable. For more complex claims, 21 to 30 days. The CRT itself suggests a 14-day negotiation window before initiating a dispute, so aligning the demand letter to that timeline is practical.

Can I claim interest on the debt in BC?

Yes. The Court Order Interest Act sets the pre-judgment rate, currently updated semi-annually. If your contract specifies a higher interest rate, you can claim the contract rate. State the interest calculation in the demand letter so the other party sees exactly what they owe.

How do I send the letter so it counts as evidence?

Send by Canada Post Registered Mail or Xpresspost with signature, by courier with delivery confirmation, or by email where the recipient has responded to your email before (establishing that address as one they monitor). Keep the tracking receipt and any reply. At the CRT or Small Claims, the demand letter and proof of service become part of the record.

What if the debt is over $35,000?

You can abandon the portion over $35,000 and file in Small Claims for $35,000 — a common strategy to avoid the cost and complexity of BC Supreme Court. Or file in Supreme Court, where filing fees are higher (several hundred dollars), pleadings are more technical, and most litigants are represented. Our demand letter still applies regardless of venue.

Demand Letter BC — Free Template & Generator (2026)

When to send a BC demand letter

A demand letter is the formal written request for payment or performance you send before starting a CRT dispute or filing a Notice of Claim in BC Small Claims. BC adjudicators — whether CRT members or Provincial Court judges — expect the plaintiff to have tried to resolve the matter. A demand letter is the standard record of that effort.

Send a BC demand letter when:

A customer, client, or contractor owes you for work or goods.
A former roommate, tenant, or landlord owes you money (security deposit, damage, rent).
A motor vehicle accident produced uninsured losses under $5,000 (CRT jurisdiction).
A contract was breached — delayed delivery, non-performance, defective goods.
A personal loan remains unpaid.
You are a landlord owed arrears on a BC tenancy (though RTB proceedings run in parallel).

Knowing which forum you are pointing toward

The demand letter is more persuasive when the recipient knows exactly which forum will hear the case. In BC, the money decides the forum:

Up to $5,000 — Civil Resolution Tribunal. Filing fee typically $125-$200. Online only. Mandatory negotiation and facilitation phases before adjudication.
$5,001 to $35,000 — Provincial Court (Small Claims). Filing fee $100-$156. Mandatory settlement conference.
Over $35,000 — BC Supreme Court. Filing fees are several hundred dollars, and procedural rules are technical (pleadings, discovery, examinations for discovery).

Name the correct forum in your demand letter. “If this debt is not paid by [date], I will file a dispute with the Civil Resolution Tribunal” is specific and credible. “I will take you to court” is not.

What a BC demand letter must contain

Full legal names and addresses of sender and recipient.
Dated facts — invoices, services, loan, breach — in plain chronological order.
Exact amount claimed, broken down as principal, interest (Court Order Interest Act rate or contract rate), and out-of-pocket costs.
Specific deadline (14 days is standard, 7 days for small amounts, 21-30 days for complex claims).
Named forum where you will file if unpaid.
Provable method of delivery — registered mail, courier, or email with reply history.

What a BC demand letter should not contain

Threats to contact the police, the media, or a regulator unless you are actually going to.
Criminal allegations you cannot substantiate.
Numbers inflated to create leverage — the CRT and courts read the demand letter into the record and will reduce your recovery if you overstated.
Personal insults or allegations of bad faith without evidence.
A settlement offer you are not prepared to accept in writing.

After the deadline passes

If the recipient does not respond or refuses, the next step depends on the amount. For CRT-eligible matters under $5,000, start the dispute online at civilresolutionbc.ca. For Small Claims matters between $5,001 and $35,000, file a Notice of Claim (Form 1) at the Provincial Court registry nearest to where the defendant lives or the cause of action arose. For matters over $35,000, consult a lawyer before filing in Supreme Court.

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Related BC resources on BeProSe

BeProSe is a document preparation service, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice. Review documents with a licensed BC lawyer before sending on high-value matters.

Demand Letter BC — the step before the CRT or Small Claims