BC's Incoming Money Judgment Enforcement Act: What Business Owners Need to Know

You've won your court case.  Now comes the hard part: actually collecting the money.

For decades, BC businesses have struggled with an outdated, expensive enforcement system under our Court Order Enforcement Act.  Multiple court applications, limited access to debtor assets, and endless delays can make collections frustrating and costly.  That's about to change.

British Columbia's Money Judgment Enforcement Act ("MJEA") received Royal Assent in October 2023, was expected to come into force in 2025 and is now expected to come into force sometime in 2026.  When implemented, it will fundamentally reshape how creditors collect judgment debts in BC.

The Game-Changer: A Central Judgment Registry

The MJEA's centerpiece is the new Money Judgment Registry – a publicly searchable database where all judgments must be registered.

Think of it as the Personal Property Registry ("PPR") for court judgments.  Once you register (within two years of getting your judgment), you create an "enforcement charge" against virtually all of the debtor's property – not just specific assets.

Why this matters: Registration protects your priority.  If the debtor has multiple creditors or goes bankrupt, your registration date determines who gets paid first. Miss the two-year deadline, and you could lose enforcement rights entirely.

More Assets You Can Seize

Under the old system, creditors could only go after specific things – like bank accounts, wages, and certain physical property.  The MJEA will change that.  Once in force, creditors will be able to collect from almost anything the debtor owns to satisfy the debt like the debtor's intellectual property, their contract rights, rental income from a lease, even future payments they're owed by someone else.

Real-world impact: If your debtor owns a software company with valuable IP, or receives ongoing royalties, or has a profitable lease – all will be fair game for enforcement.

Less Court, Lower Costs 

One of the biggest frustrations with the current system: bringing repeated court applications for every enforcement step.  Each can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars in legal fees.

The MJEA aims to slashes court involvement.  You will be able to give civil enforcement officers a single instruction to pursue multiple enforcement actions – and maintain continual wage garnishment without new court orders for each pay period.

Example: Under the current system, your garnishment order only applies to monies or wages owing to the debtor at the time the order is served and you must bring another court application for every subsequent garnishment order.  Under the MJEA, your continual garnishment instruction will stay active.  You will save time and legal fees.

Better Access to Debtor Information

Debtors who hide assets are a major collection obstacle.  The MJEA will give creditors stronger investigative tools:

·      Request identification and asset disclosure statements;

·      Compel debtors to attend examinations under oath; and

·      Question debtors about all property interests.

This transparency will help you make smarter enforcement decisions and avoid wasting resources chasing non-existent assets.

Balanced Protections Remain 

While the MJEA will expand creditor powers, it maintains certain debtor protections:

• Some essential personal property remains exempt;

• Wage garnishments are capped;

• Officers need a warrant to enter private residences; and

• Detailed rules govern seizures to prevent abuse.

These safeguards aim to reduce legal challenges to your enforcement actions and help preserve business relationships where ongoing dealings are possible.

What BC Businesses Should Do Now

1. Monitor implementation dates: Watch for government announcements on when the MJEA comes into force.

2. Review credit policies: Plan to add Registry searches to your credit approval process.

3. Assess existing judgments: Older judgments may need special handling during the transition.

4. Train your team: Ensure staff understand the two-year registration deadline and new procedures.

The businesses that understand these new tools and coordinate with their legal counsel will have the strongest collection results.

Need Help Collecting a Business Debt?  Whether navigating the current system or preparing for the MJEA, Derpak White Spencer LLP has extensive experience helping BC businesses try to recover what they're owed.  If you have any questions, please contact us at (604) 736 9791 or email Alex Robertson ar@dwslaw.ca.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to serve as, or should be construed as legal advice, and is only to provide general information. The MJEA has not yet come into force and regulations may modify its provisions. For advice about your specific situation, please contact us. The information for this article was compiled on January 29, 2026.