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Small Claims Tribunal

Magistrates Court - civil

If you have a dispute involving an amount up to $7,500, it may be possible to make a claim against the other party through either the Magistrates Court or the Small Claims Tribunal.

If you are owed an amount of money up to $7,500 (e.g. an IOU, a dishonoured cheque or wages), you may be able to proceed with a minor debt claim in the Magistrates Court.

The Small Claims Tribunal is sometimes called a consumers’ court because it is generally concerned with disputes between consumers and traders.

As lawyers are not permitted in the tribunal unless the claimant, respondent and the referee agree to it, the tribunal is a low cost, do-it-yourself way to resolve your dispute.

The tribunal is able to make decisions about disputes involving:

damages to property caused by a motor vehicle
an order under the Dividing Fences Act 1953
the Residential Tenancies Act 1994
an order under the Residential Services (Accommodation) Act 2002
an order under the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 )
applications under the Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003
a claim by a consumer against a trader
a claim between traders.

Last updated Tuesday, 18 December 2007 11:47