British Columbia Builders Liens Practice Manual--ONLINE

Practical solutions to your builders lien problems and questions

This publication is essential for: lawyers needing practical guidance on BC builders lien issues

Current to: July 1, 2026

Builders liens issues arise frequently in construction and real estate practices and you need to have speedy answers for your clients. The British Columbia Builders Liens Practice Manual guides you through practical issues that frequently arise under the Builders Lien Act, covering the entire process from how to file a claim of lien all the way to enforcing a lien. With each topic, you receive guidance, relevant sections of the Act, case law, and templates to help you address the specific lien issue that your client is facing.

With an online subscription to British Columbia Builders Liens Practice Manual, your firm will be able to:

• conveniently access detailed guidance at any time and from any location, search for relevant information, link directly to significant legislation, case law, and websites, and download precedents
• understand the nature of the lienable interest, the builders lien trust, and lien priorities
  
• quickly determine the procedures and time limits for filing, enforcing, or discharging your client's lien
  
• avoid common builders lien mistakes leading to solicitor's liability

Subscribe today and build your confidence on builders liens matters! View a sample from this book!

Highlights of the 2026 Update include:

• new prompt payment chapter and all chapters updated:
  • new legislation not yet in force
  • proper invoicing
  • prompt payment timelines
  • changed holdback periods (including strata)
  • "improvement" definition including demolition
  • information rights
  • Abolition of Shimco lien
  • disputes adjudication
• new decisions:
  • lienability of anticipated delay costs
  • certificate of completion issuance
  • lien discharge
  • wrongful lien filing against parcel for work done on other parcel
  • control of holdback funds and priorities in failed mixed-use strata
  • statutory limit on lien against holdback
  • concurrent lien claims and rights against holdback
  • distribution of funds among lien claimants

Annual subscription rates are based on firm size. A monthly payment option is available.

Online subscribers can purchase a print copy of British Columbia Builders Liens Practice Manual for 15% off its regular price.

Discover all of our Real Estate resources here

CLEBC Legal Editor
L. Joy Tataryn
jtataryn@cle.bc.ca

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Builders Liens

2. Lien Claimants and How to File a Claim of Lien

3. The Lienable Interest

4. Quantum of Liens

5. Time Limits for Filing a Claim of Lien

6. Loss or Discharge of Lien

7. The Builders Lien Holdback

8. The Builders Lien Trust

9. Priorities and Builders Liens

10. Builders Lien Enforcement

11. Bonds and Subcontractor Default Insurance

12. Solicitors' Liability under the Builders Lien Act

13. Construction Prompt Payment

Checklist

Forms and Precedents

Tables of Concordance

Tables
Case Table
Statutes and Related Material Table
Index

Editorial Board
Dirk H. Laudan — Eyford Patners LLP, Vancouver
J. Marc MacEwing — West Vancouver
David T. Mckenzie — Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, Vancouver

Authors
Rebecca J. Cleary — Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP, Vancouver 
Celine Conly — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver
Stephen Coyle — Norton rose Rulbright Canada LLP, Vancouver
Brendan Dawes — Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, Vancouver
Tyler S. Galbraith — Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, Vancouver
David A. Garner — Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP, Vancouver
Scott R. Harcus — Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP, Vancouver 
Christopher E. Hirst — Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP, Vancouver
Robert A. Hodgins — Singleton Urquhart LLP, Vancouver
Seema Lal — Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, Vancouver
Dirk H. Laudan — Eyford Partners LLP, Vancouver
J. Marc MacEwing — West Vancouver
David T. Mckenzie — Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, Vancouver
Chris Moore — McLean & Armstrong LLP, West Vancouver
Kaitlyn Richards — Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, Vancouver
Michael A. Skene — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver
Stephanie Streat — Synthesis Legal Corporation Ltd., Port Moody
Norm Streu — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver
David G. Volk — Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, Vancouver
Chelsea Wilson — Dentons Canada LLP, Vancouver