British Columbia On-line Dispute Resolution

On May 7, 2012, the Ministry of Justice for British Columbia announced the introduction of Bill 44, the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act. If enacted, British Columbia would become the first jurisdiction in Canada to create a tribunal to provide on-line dispute resolution services. Use of the tribunal's services would be voluntary, except for strata corporations (condos).

Some things to note:

• Lawyers aren't welcome. Parties are to represent themselves unless they are a minor or a person with impaired capacity. There are other exceptions such as if the rules for the Tribunal (to be drafted) permit representation or the tribunal finds it is in the interests of justice to permit the party to be represented. The Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia has already responded negatively as has the Canadian Bar Association British Columbia Branch.