Litigation and Dispute Resolution

What is the Tenancy Tribunal? The Tenancy Tribunal (“Tribunal”) resolves residential tenancy disputes under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. It deals with legal disputes between landlords and tenants and provides a faster and more cost-effective process than the District Court. The Tribunal is commonly used for issues involving rent arrears, bond refunds, property damage, tenancy

What is a Limited Licence? A limited licence, commonly referred to as a “work licence”, allows a disqualified driver to continue driving in limited circumstances during a period of disqualification. A limited licence can be granted by the Court where a driver can demonstrate that the disqualification would cause undue hardship to them or another

What is the Harassment Act 1997? In New Zealand, restraining orders for harassment are made under the Harassment Act 1997 (“Act”). The Act is designed to protect individuals from ongoing patterns of behaviour that cause distress, fear, or anxiety, particularly where there is no close family or domestic relationship between the parties. It is commonly

A decision from the Disputes Tribunal is legally binding once it is sealed, and it can be enforced through the District Court if the other party does not comply. The Tribunal itself does not enforce orders, but the District Court treats the decision as if it were its own judgment. Before taking enforcement steps, it

Not sure whether to use the Disputes Tribunal or Court in New Zealand? Learn the key differences in cost, process, timeframes, and when each option is appropriate. When a dispute arises in New Zealand, one of the first decisions is whether to use the Disputes Tribunal (“Tribunal”) or commence proceedings in the District Court or