How does the Disputes Tribunal work and can I bring a consumer claim myself?

The Disputes Tribunal is an informal, low-cost forum for civil claims up to 30,000 dollars, and it is widely used for consumer disputes under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act. You lodge a claim with a modest filing fee, the other side is notified and a hearing is scheduled before a referee. Lawyers do not normally appear, and the referee decides the case on what is fair and legal, without strict rules of evidence. Bring your receipt, photographs, any written reports, the correspondence with the retailer and a clear timeline. Before filing, it helps to send a written demand and give the retailer a chance to resolve it. The referee's order is binding and can be enforced through the District Court, which is why it is worth being well prepared.