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The Disputes
Tribunal.
New Zealand's small claims court. Quick, low-cost, and designed for people to represent themselves.
The Disputes Tribunal is a division of the District Court that handles civil disputes up to certain monetary limits. It was established to give New Zealanders access to justice without the expense and complexity of traditional court proceedings.
Unlike a regular court, the Disputes Tribunal is informal. There are no lawyers allowed (except in very limited circumstances), no formal rules of evidence, and decisions are made by a trained referee rather than a judge.
What you can claim.
Maximum Claim
The Disputes Tribunal can hear claims up to $60,000. This limit was increased from $30,000 in January 2026.
Important limitation
The monetary limit applies to each claim, not the total relationship between parties. You cannot split a single dispute into multiple claims to fit within jurisdiction.
Types of disputes.
Consumer disputes
Faulty goods, services not delivered, misrepresentation, Consumer Guarantees Act claims
Contract disputes
Breach of contract, non-payment for work, deposit disputes, failed agreements
Property disputes
Bond disputes, damage to property, fencing issues, neighbour disputes
Motor vehicle
Used car problems, mechanical defects, misrepresentation of condition
Building disputes
Defective work, incomplete projects, disputes with tradespeople
Debt recovery
Money owed under loans, unpaid invoices, recovery of deposits
What the Tribunal cannot hear
The process.
File your claim
Complete the claim form at your local District Court or online. Clearly state what happened, what you are claiming, and from whom. Pay the filing fee.
Serve the respondent
The Court will serve your claim on the other party. They have 14 days to respond. If they dispute your claim, a hearing will be scheduled.
Prepare for the hearing
Gather your evidence: contracts, receipts, photos, text messages, quotes. Prepare a clear timeline of events. Think about what outcome you want.
Attend the hearing
Hearings are at District Court locations. Both parties present their case to the referee. The atmosphere is informal but respectful. Hearings usually last 1-2 hours.
Receive the decision
The referee may give an oral decision at the hearing or reserve their decision. Written orders are sent to both parties. Most decisions are issued within 14 days.
Filing Fees
Fees depend on the amount you are claiming.
If you win, you can usually recover your filing fee from the other party.
Disputes Tribunal vs other courts.
| Forum | Limit | Lawyers | Cost Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disputes Tribunal | Up to $60k | Not allowed | Filing fee only |
| District Court | Up to $350k | Allowed | May pay other side's costs |
| High Court | No limit | Expected | Significant cost risk |
Key Takeaways
The Disputes Tribunal handles claims up to $60,000
No lawyers are allowed, keeping costs low for everyone
Filing fees range from $45 to $540 depending on claim amount
Most matters are resolved within 2-3 months
Prepare thoroughly: bring documents, know your facts, and be clear about what you want
Decisions are legally binding but enforcement can be challenging
Related Reading
Limitation Periods in New Zealand: Time Limits for Legal Claims
Understanding time limits for legal claims. Covers contract (6 years), tort (6 years), employment (90 days), and when time starts running.
What is Mediation and How Does It Work?
Mediation is a structured negotiation with a neutral third party. Learn how the process works, what the mediator does, and when mediation makes sense.