Three more Small Claims Tribunals

Press, 3 July 1985, Page 2

Three more Small Claims Tribunals

PA Wellington The Government yesterday increased the number of new Small Claims Tribunals from 12 to 15. A dozen new tribunals were announced in the Budget for Kaikohe, Papakura, Thames, Whakatane, Napier, Taupo, Taumarunui, Hawera, Levin, Wellington, Blenheim and Ashburton. The Minister of Justice, Mr Palmer, said yesterday that further discussions with his department had shown it was possible to set up three more at little extra cost. He had consequently added Oamaru, Gore, and Taihape to the list.

This will bring the total number of tribunals in the network to 36. There were three in 1977. The number of claims has risen from 1081 for five tribunals in 1980 to 4449 for 21 tribunals last year. “Small Claims Tribunals can offer a quick and effective means of providing justice cheaply,” Mr Palmer said. He looked forward to the day when every District Court could offer the tribunal’s services. People can put claims involving up to 51000 before the tribunal. Mr Palmer said he planned to double that level after a study of the efficiency of the tribu-

nals and an overhaul of their legislation. The tribunals can deal with disputes between two persons or between one person and a company, over matters such as faulty goods, a poor repair job, a tenant’s bond, or a layby sale refundAn independent referee tries to help the persons involved come to an agreement without lawyers, and makes a binding decision if they fail to agree. The tribunals are part of the District Court system. If one party refuses to carry out the order of a referee, the other party can ask the court to enforce the order.