Serving Richmond
Civil litigation lawyers serving Richmond, BC
We act for Richmond owners and small businesses in strata, commercial lease, contract and debt disputes, from our Surrey office.
Richmond’s many retail and service businesses mean commercial lease disagreements, unpaid invoices and supplier disputes are common. Strata buildings in City Centre bring their own repair and bylaw issues.
How we help Richmond 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 Richmond matters
- Richmond Provincial Court, 7577 Elmbridge Way: Provincial Court family matters and small claims for Richmond.
- Vancouver Law Courts, 800 Smithe Street: Supreme Court matters, including divorce and property division.
- Civil Resolution Tribunal (online): small claims up to $5,000 and most strata disputes.
Questions from Richmond clients
My Richmond landlord is trying to end my commercial lease early. What should I do?
Commercial leases are governed by the lease itself and the Commercial Tenancy Act, not the residential rules. Read the termination and default clauses, keep paying rent unless advised otherwise, and get advice before responding in writing.
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.