Civil claim  flowchart

The flowchart above explains what happens after you file a civil claim form at the court registry and then serve the document you have filed on the defendant.

There are the three possibilities.

1. The defendant admits the claim and pays the money they owe you or they offer a settlement.

2. The defendant ignores the claim: they neither admit it or file a defence. In this case you can file a default judgement  attaching your original claim and affidavit of service (proof of service). After judgement you may take out enforcement actions: warrant or garnishee order.

3. The defendant files a defence. In this case the matter generally will go to a directions hearing and then a conciliator may be involved to help you negotiate a compromise that both you and the defendant agreed on (settlement). If you can’t settle, the Magistrate will then proceed to hear your case at a trial. If you are successful and obtain judgment you may take out enforcement actions: warrant or garnishee order.