The new Commercial Liens Act comes into force on June 30, 2025, creating one clear set of lien rules for anyone who repairs, stores or transports goods. It replaces a patchwork of outdated laws, which created different rules for different services. The change reduces risks and costs, meaning service providers will be less likely to lose their liens and the payment that liens secure. Updated rules and processes that are easier to understand benefit businesses and their customers.
The changes will also make it easier to enforce liens without going to court, which helps businesses get paid and cuts legal costs. The act replaces the Repairers Lien Act and the Warehouse Lien Act. Any existing liens under those acts will continue as commercial liens. The ARA will be helping industry throughout the transition period by providing education, tools and resources to help industry navigate the new laws. Stay tuned for more information.