A court judgment against a debtor can be registered against land held by the debtor. The registered judgment goes on the title of the property preventing sale or mortgage until the debt is paid. Section 88 (1) of the Court Order Enforcement Act says that:
After October 30, 1979, a judgment creditor may apply under the Land Title Act to register, against the title to specified land, a judgment or a renewal of the registration of a judgment, in the same manner as a charge is registered by delivering to the registrar a certificate of judgment or, if permitted by an enactment, a copy of an order, which is included in the words "certificate of judgment".
A certificate of judgment form can be found in Schedule 2 of the Court Order Enforcement Act. The certificate must be stamped with the court seal and signed by the Registrar. The Certificate of Judgment is filed with a Form 17 (F17 Application) in the Land Title Office. It is good for two years, after which it must be renewed.
Content review July 25, 2025
- Land Title Regulation, BC Reg 334/79 - BC Laws
- Court Order Enforcement Act, Schedule 2 - BC Laws
- Judgments - LTSA - Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia
- British Columbia Creditors’ Remedies: An Annotated Guide - available on-site at Courthouse Libraries
- LTSA forms (including Form 17 Application) - Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia