Who can use it?
- For
- Defendant
- Court rules
- Rules 1–5
When do you need Form 3?
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
Explain how the third party is connected to the existing claim, identify that person or entity correctly, and calculate the third-party amount.
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
Important for this form: Under Rule 5(1), the defendant must have filed a Reply before making a third-party claim. If a settlement conference, mediation session or trial conference has already been held, the defendant needs a judge’s permission before adding a third party. Rule 5(3) requires a complete service package, including the claim, Reply, blank Form 3.1, blank Form 38 and existing parties’ addresses for service; Rule 5(5)–(5.1) makes the 30-day certificate-of-service rule important because the notice otherwise expires (unless renewed).
File the notice, pay the prescribed fee, give the third party the required case documents and a blank Reply to Third Party Notice.
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 5, normally file a Certificate of Service within 30 days of filing unless the third party replied; the notice can expire otherwise.
Fees: Filing a third-party notice: $25, plus possible service costs.
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
Treating a third-party notice as a substitute for your own Reply, or failing to serve the complete document package.
Check the current fee, courthouse and hearing instructions. Small-claims procedures can differ at Vancouver Robson Square and Richmond.