Minor civil claims ($15,000 or less)
minor civil claim Any dispute claiming $15,000 or less.
You can also file a minor civil claim for
- a claim arising out of a Residential Tenancy or Lease Agreement
- a claim to access neighbouring land
- any dispute under the Consumer Credit Code claiming $15,000 or less.
Court and legal costs
- There are no legal costs for a minor civil claim because parties must represent themselves.
- A party may request Court permission to have legal representation in special circumstances. For example if the other party is a solicitor or you have an intellectual disability.
- The Magistrate may award the successful party compensation for nominal witness fees, expenses etc.
- The Court can only award legal costs to a successful party if a lawyer has been engaged by a party and (in rare circumstances) the lawyer has represented that party at trial.
- The Court does not generally make orders compensating a self-represented party for the time spent on preparing the claim or conducting the trial.