Changes to B.C. Supreme Court Costs

In British Columbia lawsuits, the Supreme Court of British Columbia may order one party to pay another party's costs. The usual rule is that the loser pays the winner's costs, although there are some exceptions in estate litigation cases.

The costs are based on tariffs set out in Appendix B to the Supreme Court Rules. An award of costs does not usually fully reimburse the successful party for his or her actual legal costs. In many cases the court awarded costs are less than half of a party's legal fees.

The tariffs have changed effective January 1, 2007. The Rules Revision Committee has summarized the changes here. Basically, the changes will increase the amount awarded to a successful party.