The Provincial Court of B.C. encourages people to explore alternatives to court proceedings to resolve disputes. One alternative is offered by the Justice Education Society’s SmallClaimsBC.ca website. It’s a free, fast, and secure Online Dispute Resolution web application using technology similar to ebay’s.
To use the service you create a secure account, outline your dispute, and provide an email address for the other party. The service sends an email inviting the other party to respond to your claim. You negotiate online, sending messages to explain your position and uploading evidence to support your case. You can then use the platform to create a legal agreement including payment terms and consequences if the terms are not met.
If your dispute is not settled, you can still pursue the matter in court.
For links to more information on alternative dispute resolution see Alternatives to Court on the B.C. Provincial Court website.