Who can use it?
- For
- Claimant, defendant or third party
- Court rules
- Rules 6–10.2
When do you need Form 18?
Before using this form, check that your case belongs in Provincial Court and that this form fits your situation. Read the current court rule and official form. Most eligible claims of $5,000 or less start with the Civil Resolution Tribunal, not a new Court Notice of Claim. Some kinds of claims follow different rules.
What to prepare
Specify exactly which claims, interest and costs are resolved and when payments or actions would be due. Rule 10.1(12) requires an offer involving two or more defendants sued together to be made jointly to or by all defendants; Rule 10.1(13) treats multiple claimants differently. These restrictions and third-party claims require individual checking.
Use the names, addresses and court file number already on your case. Keep the documents and calculations together, and make copies for everyone who needs them. Filling in a form does not prove your case.
File the form and give copies to others
Serve Form 18 as if it were a Notice of Claim under Rule 2, subject to Rule 10.1; keep a dated copy and proof of service. Check Rule 10.1(0.1) exclusions before relying on its deadlines or penalty provisions.
Follow the wording and instructions on the official form. You may need to give different copies to different people. The provincial Filing Assistant can help you fill out certain forms. It cannot tell you whether your case belongs in this court or whether your filing will be accepted.
Deadlines and fees
Timing: Under Rule 10.1(2), the formal offer must generally be served within 30 days after the conclusion of the settlement conference or the trial conference, whichever happens first, unless a judge permits a later offer. The recipient normally has 28 days after service to accept using Form 19. Rule 10.1 does not apply to claims governed by Rule 9.1 or proceedings started by a Notice of Civil Resolution Tribunal Claim.
Fees: There is no separate listed Schedule A fee just for sending a written offer; settlement consequences can affect costs or penalties.
If you must give a copy to another person, follow the delivery rules for that form. Write down when and how you delivered it. Filing a form with the court is different from giving it to someone else. Estimate ordinary CRT / original Court claim costs. This calculator does not cover every special form or every way to collect money after a judgment.
Watch out for this mistake
Relying only on an oral proposal, omitting important terms or disclosing an offer to the trial judge too soon.
Check the current fee, courthouse and hearing instructions. Small-claims procedures can differ at Vancouver Robson Square and Richmond.