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What kind of evidence should I submit?

5 min read

Evidence is material that supports your side of the claim or disproves someone else’s side.

  • You should only give evidence that is relevant. Keep it focused on the facts of the dispute.
  • Don’t submit arguments as evidence. Arguments explain your side of the claim but are not evidence.
  • If evidence has already been submitted, don’t submit the same evidence again.
  • Don’t include what was said during the facilitation stage of the CRT process unless the other participants have agreed in writing that communications can be submitted as evidence.

It’s an offence under the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act to give the CRT false or misleading information such as evidence created or altered by an artificial intelligence tool (AI). See Can I use AI tools in evidence and arguments? to learn more.

If you’re a participant in a CRT claim, you may want to start gathering your evidence early, so you’re ready when it’s time to upload it. Learn more about evidence.

Does evidence have to be in English?

All information and evidence given to the CRT must be in English or translated to English. Generally, evidence submitted without an English translation will not be considered.

Can the CRT help me get evidence?

If you’re not sure what evidence you should submit for your claim, you may want to get legal advice.

The CRT can’t give legal advice, tell you what kind of evidence would help your case, or arrange to get evidence for you.

What formats can I use for evidence?

Evidence must be in digital (electronic) format. For example:

  • PDF or Word documents
  • Digital photos or videos
  • Email (Submit one file for the full email chain, not separate files for each email in the chain)

The CRT can’t accept the following types of files or links:

  • Website links. Websites can change over time. But you can submit screenshots of the website pages and include the date you took the screenshots.
  • Links to evidence
  • Zip files or Google Drives
  • Excel spreadsheets
  • PowerPoint presentations
  • Mac formats such as Notes and Pages
  • Formats such as MSG, HEIC, 7Z, TGZ, ZI, TXT or EML
  • ISO password-protected attachments with executable content

We may ask you to resubmit your evidence in a different file format or file size if:

  • The file is poor quality, such as text that is too blurry to read
  • The type of file is difficult to open
  • The file size is very large

Each dispute is limited to 2GB of file storage. For large files, consider reducing the file size.

The CRT can also limit the amount of evidence you can submit. Only upload evidence that’s relevant to the claims in the dispute.

What are some typical kinds of evidence?

It depends on what your claim is about. For example, if you’re asking the CRT to order someone to pay you money, you need to provide evidence about the amount like invoices, receipts, quotes, work orders, proof of lost wages or income, time records, or other accounting records. 

Evidence could include things like:

  • Contracts or agreements
  • Letters, texts or emails
  • Medical records like reports, assessments, and receipts
  • Photos or videos that show damage, the layout of a building, an accident scene, etc
  • Invoices, receipts, quotes, or other accounting records
  • Demand letters for payment
  • Proof of lost wages or income
  • Work orders or time records
  • A chart setting out payment dates or a timeline of events
  • Minutes from society or cooperative association board meetings, strata council meetings, annual general meetings, or other records
  • Letters about complaints and strata bylaw infractions
  • Witness statements
  • Expert evidence

Tips for photographs and videos

Photos or videos are helpful to show damage, the layout of a building, an accident scene, or things that are difficult to describe. Photos must be clear, not blurry. Videos should be short.

If you have multiple photos of the same thing, choose one or 2 of the best, clearest photos for what you’re trying to show.

If you have a video, send only the part that is about your claim.

Explain what is shown in the photo or video and the date it was created.

Tips for witness statements

You can submit statements from witnesses to support the facts you’re trying to prove. The witness statement should say what the person observed, not their opinion.

Witness statements should be signed and dated by the witness. They don’t have to be sworn under oath or notarized.

  • Don’t submit a witness’ phone number or other contact information. The tribunal member won’t contact them.
  • Don’t send witness statements about things that aren’t related to the claim.
  • You may send a police report but don’t send just a police file number. The tribunal member won’t contact the police.

You might have a witness who wants to stay anonymous. If your witness won’t agree to be identified, you may decide to submit the anonymous statement and explain in your arguments why they don’t want to be identified. The tribunal member will consider your explanation and how reliable and persuasive your evidence is. Witness statements are often more persuasive if they contain the witness’ name, signature, and date.

Worksheets to help you organize your evidence

Use an Evidence Worksheet to help you organize your evidence. Send your completed worksheet to your case manager when they tell you to.

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