What is the CRT's discretion in deciding how to conduct a hearing in a personal injury matter?

4. The CRT has discretion to decide the format of the hearing, including by writing, telephone, videoconferencing, email, or a combination of these. This dispute involves a “she said, he said” scenario in some respects, with each side calling into question the credibility of the other. Credibility of witnesses cannot be determined solely by the test of whose personal demeanour appears to be the most truthful in a courtroom or tribunal proceeding. In the decision Yas v. Pope, 2018 BCSC 282, the court recognized that oral hearings are not necessarily required where credibility is in issue. I find I can properly assess and weigh the written evidence and submissions before me, keeping in mind that the CRT’s mandate includes proportionality and a speedy resolution of disputes. Therefore, I find that an oral hearing is not necessary, and I decided to hear this dispute through written submissions.