Making a claim Overview How do I take a claim to the Disputes Tribunal? Disputes Tribunal Act 1988, ss 24, 25 You can fill out a form online (see: “Applying online”), or fill out a paper claim form (see: “Filling out the Disputes…
News & Media
Making a claim Applying online You can apply online at the Disputes Tribunal website, here (or go to disputestribunal.govt.nz, navigate to “Forms & fees” and then select “Apply online”). The online form will take you through the following steps. This is the…
Making a claim Filling out the Disputes Tribunal application form You can print out a paper form from disputestribunal.govt.nz/forms-and-fees (it’s called the Disputes Tribunal claim form). You can also ask for a copy from any District Court, or your local Community Law…
Defending a claim How will I know if a claim is made against me? Disputes Tribunal Act 1988, s 25 Disputes Tribunal Rules 1989, rule 13 If a claim is made against you in the Disputes Tribunal, you’ll be sent a notice telling…
The Disputes Tribunal hearings Before the hearing What can I do to prepare for the Disputes Tribunal hearing? Whether you are the applicant or the respondent, you should prepare as much as you can for the Disputes Tribunal hearing: Add more information…
The Disputes Tribunal hearings The hearing: who can go and how to attend Who is allowed to go to a Disputes Tribunal hearing? Disputes Tribunal Act 1988, ss 38, 39 In general, the applicant, the respondent and the referee are the only…
The Disputes Tribunal hearings The hearing: what happens on the day Joining the hearing The first time a claim is heard, you’ll join in person or over the phone, depending on what was agreed with the notice of hearing. If it’s by…
The Tribunal’s decision How does the referee make a decision? Disputes Tribunal Act 1988, ss 18, 41, 186 If you can’t come to a decision on your own, the referee will make a decision for you. Referees will take the law into…
Challenging a Disputes Tribunal decision Rehearings by the Disputes Tribunal Disputes Tribunal Act 1988, ss 42(2), 49, 49(3) I’m not happy with the Dispute Tribunal’s decision. Can I get another hearing? You can only apply for a rehearing in the Tribunal if you…
Challenging a Disputes Tribunal decision Appeals to the District Court I’m not happy with the Disputes Tribunal decision, but I’ve been refused a rehearing. Can I appeal the decision? Disputes Tribunal Act 1988, s 50 Case: Strang v Singh, DC Manukau CIV-2008-092-4267,…
© Community Law, 2025
-
Our Local centres - (Overview)
Specialist centres
-
Donate
to the manual