Owed money, stuck in a broken contract, or just served with a lawsuit? Every week you wait can cost you leverage.
Bhangu Law helps people and businesses in Surrey and across BC with breach of contract, debt collection, builders liens and construction disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes, real estate and mortgage matters, employment claims and small claims. Clear advice, straight answers, and a strategy built to protect what you've worked for.
40 seconds: what to do when a dispute lands on your desk
You're not alone. Most people dealing with a civil dispute feel exactly the way you do right now, and there is a clear way through this.
They just won't pay what they owe me.
You've sent the invoices, made the calls, maybe waited months hoping it would sort itself out. At some point, waiting stops being a strategy.
Can I actually get out of this contract?
Something in the deal fell apart, and now you're stuck wondering what your rights actually are, and whether the other side is even allowed to do what they're doing.
Someone is suing me and I don't know what to do.
A claim showed up with a deadline attached, and every day that passes without a response can work against you. We help you understand what's actually at stake here.
The deal fell through and I'm out thousands.
A deposit, a broken agreement, a contractor who never finished the job. When property or money is on the line, waiting rarely makes things better.
We give you straightforward guidance from people who know these courts well. Everything you tell us stays confidential from the very first call, and if you're still not sure where you stand, a 30-minute initial call is the fastest way to find out. One call can change how the rest of this goes for you.
The questions we hear most in a first call, answered in plain language. Every dispute is different, so treat this as a starting point, not advice for your case.
If you're served with a Notice of Civil Claim in BC, you generally have 21 days to file a response. Miss it and the other side can ask for judgment without hearing from you.
Most civil claims in BC must be started within two years of when you knew, or should have known, about the problem. Some deadlines are shorter, so don't assume you have time.
Claims up to $5,000 usually go to the Civil Resolution Tribunal, up to $35,000 to Small Claims Court, and larger or complex claims to BC Supreme Court. The forum shapes cost and timeline.
A formal demand letter from a lawyer resolves many unpaid invoices and debts without going to court, and it sets up your claim properly if it doesn't.
If you weren't paid on a construction project, a lien generally has to be filed within 45 days of the work being completed, abandoned or terminated. Wait too long and it's gone.
It depends on the terms and how serious the breach is. Stopping performance on your own can expose you to a claim, so get advice before you stop paying or working.
General information about BC civil law, not legal advice.
Every dispute is different. Here's where we spend most of our time.
Don't see your situation listed? Call us, we likely still handle it.
You deserve a team that actually answers your calls, explains every step in plain language, and treats your case like it matters, because it does.
We handle contract and debt disputes regularly, not occasionally. We know how BC courts expect these claims to be documented, and we build your file the right way from day one.
Whether you're pursuing money you're owed or defending a claim against you, our experience covers both sides of the table. We've argued it from where the other side is standing too.
Limitation periods close. Some disputes need an urgent court application within days, not months. We move quickly in the early stages, when the decisions made often shape the outcome.
We review agreements, leases, and business contracts to flag the clauses that tend to cause disputes later. Catching an issue early is almost always cheaper than litigating it after the fact.
Not every dispute belongs in the same court. We'll tell you honestly whether your case fits Small Claims or BC Supreme Court, and what that means for cost, timeline, and strategy.
You'll know what pursuing or defending your case is likely to cost, and whether it's worth pursuing, before you commit to anything. No surprises halfway through.
Real reviews from real people we've helped across British Columbia.
Justin owns and leads this firm personally, backed by a dedicated legal team who manages the day-to-day work on your case.
Owner & Founder
Justin is the owner and founder of The Law Office of Justin S. Bhangu. He personally oversees every case that comes through the firm, and a dedicated legal team works alongside him to manage the details of your file from start to finish. He's a member of the Law Society of British Columbia, holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and a Master of Laws (LL.M.), and has appeared before courts and tribunals throughout British Columbia and federally.
That's exactly what the initial call is for. We'll look at what happened, what evidence or documents you have, and give you an honest read on your options, not just tell you what you want to hear.
In most cases, you have 2 years from when you knew, or reasonably should have known, about your claim to start a lawsuit in British Columbia. There are exceptions that can shorten or extend that window depending on the type of dispute, so if you're not sure where you stand, it's worth a quick call rather than assuming you've already missed your chance.
Small Claims Court generally handles disputes up to a set dollar limit and moves faster with simpler procedure. BC Supreme Court handles larger or more complex claims. We'll tell you which one fits your situation before you file anything.
Civil litigation is the broad category covering legal disputes between people or companies that aren't criminal matters, everything from a neighbour dispute to an unpaid debt. Business or commercial disputes are a specific kind of civil matter involving companies, partnerships, or shareholders. In practice, we handle both, and a lot of disputes touch on both at once.
Nothing is required. But if you have them, contracts, invoices, emails, or any paperwork related to the dispute helps us give you sharper advice faster. If nothing is organized yet, that's fine too, we'll tell you what to gather afterward.
Yes. Conversations with our legal team are protected by solicitor-client privilege, whether or not you go on to retain our services.
Bring it up on the call. We'll talk through fees and options openly during your initial call, including whether the amount in dispute makes pursuing it worthwhile, before you commit to anything.
From your first call to resolution, here's exactly what to expect.
Reach our office directly, or send a brief description and we'll call you back.
In a 30-minute initial call, we listen, review what's happened, and explain your realistic options.
We review your documents and the facts, and build the approach that fits your situation, whether that's a demand letter, negotiation, or filing a claim.
Many disputes resolve before trial. If yours doesn't, we represent you at every step, through to resolution.
One confidential call with our team could change how the rest of your case goes. Book a 30-minute initial call and get clear on your options.
