Christchurch to get small-claims tribunal

Press, 11 December 1976, Page 6

Christchurch to get small-claims tribunal

PA Wellington. Three small-claims tribunals will be established early next year as pilot projects in Rotorua, New Plymouth, and Christchurch, the Minister of Justice (Mr Thomson) has announced. "The progress of these first tribunals will be followed most carefully and the experience gained through their work will be invaluable in determining the number and location of other tribunals,” Mr Thomson said. “In selecting the centres for the first tribunals the Government has sought to locate them in areas having a variety of size, situation, and population characteristics so as to get an idea of the amount and variety of work that can -be expected. *

“For this reason we chose a metropolitan area, a longestablished provincial city which is strongly linked to the rural community, and a third city which is experiencing a prolonged period of i strong growth and containing a diverse racial population,” he said. The referees appointed to the tribunals would be aided by' staff from the local magistrate’s courts and the capability of these courts to handle additional work was another factor in determining the siting of the first tribunals. Mr Thomson said. “The small-claims tribunals are intended to provide speedy and inexpensive justice to settle small disputes ;and the primary job of the referee is that of a mediator.”. However, if Jin agreed settlement' is not possible, then

the referee can investigate the claim to reach a settlement. “Neither side in a dispute is allowed legal representation and there are relaxed rules of evidence. A key feature of the work of the small claims tribunals should be that an issue be decided on the substantial justice of the case,” the Minister said. “Hie hours of sitting of the tribunals have deliberately not been specified and I expect that these will be determined by experience.” Mr Thomson said the smallclaims tribunals were entering an untapped field of work and he was looking forward, to these first tribunals “furnishing much valuable information which will help up to make justice available to all to resolve minor disputes and grievances peacefully/’