Serving Coquitlam
Civil litigation lawyers serving Coquitlam, BC
We act for Coquitlam and Tri-Cities owners and businesses in construction, strata, contract and debt disputes, from our Surrey office.
New homes and townhouses on Burke Mountain and around the Evergreen Line stations lead to deficiency, warranty and builder disputes, and newer strata corporations often disagree with owners about who pays for repairs.
How we help Coquitlam clients
- Strata DisputesDisputes between owners, tenants and strata corporations over bylaws, fines, repairs and governance.
- Contract DisputesClaims for breach of contract between individuals, contractors and businesses.
- Debt RecoveryRecovering money you are owed and enforcing judgments, or defending a debt claim.
- Construction DisputesRenovations and builds that go wrong, unpaid trades, deficiencies and builders liens.
- Property DisputesDeals that fall apart, deposits in dispute, and disagreements between co-owners or neighbours.
Courts that hear Coquitlam matters
- Port Coquitlam Provincial Court, 2620 Mary Hill Road: Provincial Court family matters and small claims for the Tri-Cities.
- New Westminster Law Courts, 651 Carnarvon Street: Supreme Court matters, including divorce and family property.
- Civil Resolution Tribunal (online): small claims up to $5,000 and most strata disputes.
Questions from Coquitlam clients
Who pays to fix a leak in my Coquitlam townhouse, me or the strata?
It depends on whether the leak comes from common property or your strata lot, and on your strata’s bylaws and insurance deductible rules. The bylaws and the strata plan answer most of these questions, and the Civil Resolution Tribunal decides disputes about them.
Should I try to settle?
It is almost always worth exploring. Most civil cases settle before trial. A settlement gives you certainty and control over the result, and a sensible offer made early can also affect who pays legal costs later.
Who pays legal costs if I win?
In BC Supreme Court the successful party is usually awarded costs, but those are set by a tariff and typically cover only part of the actual legal fees. In small claims and at the Civil Resolution Tribunal, the costs you can recover are more limited.
How long does a lawsuit take?
A small claim can be resolved in months. A contested Supreme Court action commonly takes one to three years to reach trial, although most settle well before that.
Civil Litigation in other communities
Book a consultation
Tell us what has happened. We will tell you where you stand.
The first consultation is free, at our Surrey office on 120 Street.