How to fill out backing sheets for Supreme Court forms

Note: Mouse over any of the terms in green type to see a definition.

When you fill out court forms, you may have to include a backing sheet with some of the forms. Any Statement of Claim (Form 128) or order you prepare in any Supreme Court family law procedure must have a backing sheet. If you apply for an indigency order (because you cannot afford to pay court fees), you may be required to attach a backing sheet to your Requisition.

Note: If you cannot afford to pay court fees, see our self-help guide called Getting an indigency order in Supreme Court.

A backing sheet is a piece of paper that is stapled to the back of a document, facing outwards, with the writing running sideways on the paper and centred. When the document is folded in thirds, the backing sheet faces outward and shows what the document is. This makes it easier for the court registry staff to find your documents quickly in their files.

Every backing sheet has certain information on it:

  • the court file number,
  • the registry name (for example, Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna),
  • the style of cause (the names of the parties),
  • the name of the document,
  • your mailing address (or the address for service that you have put in your documents), and
  • a fax number if you have one.

Instructions for filling out a backing sheet

  1. Beside "No," insert the court file number. You can find this number at the top right-hand corner of your Writ of Summons (Form 127) or current order.
  2. Beside "Registry," insert the name of the court registry. You can find this name at the top right-hand corner of your Writ of Summons (Form 127) or current order.
  3. Insert the plaintiff's name, exactly as it appears on your Writ of Summons (Form 127) or current order, below the word "BETWEEN" and to the left of the word "Plaintiff."
  4. Insert the defendant's name, exactly as it appears on your Writ of Summons (Form 127) or current order, below the word "AND" and to the left of the word "Defendant."
  5. On the dotted line between the two solid lines at the centre of the form, insert the name of the form that this backing sheet will be attached to.
  6. Beside "Address for delivery," insert your address and fax number, if you have one and you want documents delivered by fax. You can leave the fax number out if you want.

Below are links to a blank backing sheet you can use. (The blank PDF form is programmed so you can fill it out online.) To complete the form, choose from the following options:

  • Print the form (in either Word or PDF) and use a typewriter to fill it out.
  • Print the form out and write on it (print legibly).
  • Download the Word file and fill it out using a computer word processor.
  • Open the PDF file, fill it out online, and print it.

Blank backing sheet (Word) (PDF)

In a Supreme Court family proceeding, a document that tells the court more about you and the other party, such as the details of your marriage and separation, and exactly what you are asking for. This form is used for both divorce and family orders applications. If you are applying for divorce or family order jointly with your spouse, you would use a Joint Statement of Claim (Form 128A).
A document that records the decision of a judge/master and is entered at the court registry after the judge/master makes his or her decision.
A document filed in the court registry that tells the court what you want.
All the information at the top of the front page of each court form. Includes the court file number, the name of the court registry, the title "Supreme Court of British Columbia" or "Provincial Court of British Columbia," the name of each party, and the name of the form. Sometimes called the "style of proceedings".
The act of delivering or leaving documents with the other party. Usually followed by completing and swearing or affirming an Affidavit of Service to certify that the documents were received by the other party.
A document that tells the court who you are and gives a summary of what you want. In a divorce or family proceeding, the Writ of Summons (Form 127) includes information for the other party. It explains what his or her rights are after being served with these documents, and what he or she needs to do to defend (fight) the divorce or family action. If you are applying jointly with your spouse, you would use a Joint Writ of Summons (Form 127A).

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