When the Disputes Tribunal can help
The Disputes Tribunal deals with many types of dispute. You can take a dispute to the Tribunal even if you have agreed in writing not to, or a contract says "no responsibility accepted".
The dispute could concern an amount up to $15,000 or, if everyone involved agrees, up to $20,000. If your dispute involves more than this amount, and you want the Disputes Tribunal to deal with it, you must reduce the amount you are claiming.
Types of disputes the Tribunal can be used for
The Disputes Tribunal can help with the following kinds of disputes:
- whether work has been done properly
- whether goods purchased were what you asked for
- the amount charged for work done
- damage to property, for example a car damaged in a collision or a lawnmower lent to a neighbour that is returned damaged
- loss of property, for example, someone borrows a bike and doesn't return it
- payment for a loss caused by misleading advertising or misleading statements made by someone selling goods or services, for example an advertisement that suggests speakers are included in a sound system when they are an extra cost
- whether a boundary fence needs replacing or how costs will be shared
- hire purchase agreements
- denying that you owe money for an account sent to you.
Types of disputes the Tribunal can't be used for
You can't use the Disputes Tribunal for the following types of dispute:
- rates, taxes, social welfare benefits or ACC payments
- parenting or care of children
- matrimonial property
- wills
- ownership of land
- the value of goodwill with a business that is bought or sold
- trade secrets or other intellectual property such as copyright.
