Small Claims Tribunals Act · 2024 Revised Edition · Part · Commencement of Proceedings
20. Claim may be admitted by telephone or in writing
Official textFrom Attorney General's Chambers, unchanged
The Registrar may, on such condition as he may impose, permit a defendant, at any time before an order on the claim has been made by the
Registrar
“Registrar” means the Registrar of the Small Claims Tribunals appointed under section 14 and includes a Deputy Registrar and an Assistant Registrar;
Registrar or the tribunal, to admit the claim against him orally by telephone.
The Registrar may accept any admission to the claim in writing by the defendant if such admission is received before any order on the claim had been made by the Registrar or the tribunal.
claim
“claim” means a claim filed with a tribunal under section 15 and includes a proceeding in the tribunal between a claimant and a defendant;
The Registrar may, in his discretion, reject an admission purportedly made under subsection (1) or (2) and direct the defendant to appear in person at the consultation or before a tribunal.
defendant
“defendant” means any person against whom a claim is made by a claimant other than — (a) a claimant against whom relief is sought by way of counterclaim; and (b) a person who is being represented in a representative claim;
If the Registrar is satisfied that an admission under subsection (1)
or (2) is in order, the Registrar may make an order under section 38 against the defendant and the order shall have effect as if it were an order of a tribunal under that section.
Any order made by the Registrar under subsection (4) may be set aside on the application of the defendant if the Registrar is satisfied that the admission was not made by the defendant or with the defendant’s authority.
An application under subsection (5) shall be made within one month after the date of the order or such further period as the Registrar may allow.
Terms defined in s 2
claim
Defined · s 2“claim” means a claim filed with a tribunal under section 15 and includes a proceeding in the tribunal between a claimant and a defendant;
defendant
Defined · s 2“defendant” means any person against whom a claim is made by a claimant other than — (a) a claimant against whom relief is sought by way of counterclaim; and (b) a person who is being represented in a representative claim;
Registrar
Defined · s 2“Registrar” means the Registrar of the Small Claims Tribunals appointed under section 14 and includes a Deputy Registrar and an Assistant Registrar;